Patel calls for ‘full report’ on Clapham clashes

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Britain’s Home Secretary Priti Patel requested a “full report” from the Metropolitan Police after officers clashed with some of those attending a memorial vigil in London for Sarah Everard.

While the event in Clapham, south London, was largely peaceful, skirmishes broke out in front of a crowd of hundreds as police surrounded a bandstand covered in floral tributes to the 33-year-old.

Police were seen grabbing several women, carrying them handcuffed, and the force later said four people were arrested for breaching public order and coronavirus regulation.

The crowd chanted “what a shame”, while during another confrontation a distraught woman could be heard telling officers “they are supposed to protect us.”

Scotland Yard has said that police “were placed in a position where enforcement was necessary.”

Patel described the vigil’s images as “disturbing,” while Liberal Democratic leader Sir Ed Davey asked Commissioner Cressida Dick to “consider” her leadership of the force.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the scenes were “unacceptable” and tweeted: “Police have a responsibility to enforce Covid laws, but from the footage I have seen, it is clear that the response was sometimes not. appropriate or proportionate. “

In the early hours of this morning, Deputy Commissioner Helen Ball said police were in a position “where an enforcement action was necessary.”

She said: “Hundreds of people were very close together, posing a very real risk of easily transmitting Covid-19.

“The police must act for the safety of the people, this is the only responsible thing that can be done. The pandemic is not over and gatherings of people from all over London and beyond are still not safe.

“The officers spoke with those they met on several occasions and over an extended period. We repeatedly encouraged those who were there to comply with the law and leave. Unfortunately, a small minority of people began yelling at the officers, pushing and pulling. objects “.

Reclaim These Streets said the group was “deeply saddened and angered” by the scenes in which officers “physically abused women at a vigil against male violence.”

The group added: “This week of every week the police should have understood that women would need a place to cry, reflect and show solidarity.

“The time has come for the police and the government to recognize that the criminal justice system is failing women.

“Tonight, he has failed women again, in the most destructive way. We will continue to fight for women’s voices to be heard and matter.”

Hundreds of people gathered in South London Park despite an official vigil earlier in the day being canceled due to police warnings about coronavirus restrictions.

The vigils were also held in places like Glasgow, Nottingham, Birmingham, and Bristol.

Sarah Everard disappeared while walking home from a friend’s flat in London on March 3.

Separately, Sisters Uncut, an organization that describes itself as a feminist group that takes direct action for domestic and sexual violence services, said it would hold a rally today at New Scotland Yard.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he would do everything possible to make sure the streets are safe.

He tweeted: “I cannot imagine how excruciating his pain and pain is. We must work fast to find all the answers to this horrible crime.”

“I will do everything I can to make sure the streets are safe and make sure that women and girls are not harassed or abused.”

The Duchess of Cambridge was one of the people who visited the makeshift memorial on Clapham Common yesterday to pay their respects, and was seen stopping in front of the sea of ​​flowers.

Elsewhere, Attorney General Robert Buckland said the government would seek ways to improve the exchange of information on criminals between agencies and with people at risk.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, he said: “This conservative government introduced Clare’s Law as a way to help protect people from abusive and dangerous relationships and we will consider whether this approach could be extended to harassment and other crimes that give cause for real concern. . “

Metropolitan Police Officer Wayne Couzens, who is accused of murdering Ms. Everard, was placed in pre-trial detention after his first court appearance, where it was learned that his body was found inside a large construction bag. .

Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, is charged with kidnapping and murdering Ms Everard, who disappeared while walking home from a friend’s flat in South London on March 3.



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