[ad_1]
A 48-year-old police officer has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering Sarah Everard, who disappeared during a walk in London.
The policeman was arrested Tuesday in Kent, in the south-east of England, and has now been formally charged with kidnapping and murder. At a preliminary arrest hearing on Saturday, the suspect was present and confirmed his name and age in court. How the 48-year-old reacts to the allegations will not be announced until further negotiations on Tuesday.
The man works in the special diplomatic protection of the London Police.
– His main function was to patrol in uniform in diplomatic premises, especially in several embassies, says the police about the professional function of the colleague.
The case has attracted a lot of attention in the UK. Not least after London police issued a warning to women in the area where Everard disappeared to be careful not to walk on their own. The police have received outrage and criticism, as many believe that such statements suggest that it is the responsibility of women to avoid being attacked.
Harsh criticism of the police
The planned commemorative marches were canceled, but in several cities people have gathered in spontaneous commemorative moments.
The largest collection was in Clapham Common Park in South London, near where Everard disappeared.
Although organizers canceled a planned memorial march due to crown restrictions, up to 1,000 people, mostly women, gathered to honor Sarah Everard. Many carried banners and part of the crowd was also shouting slogans against the police.
London police disbanded the crowd, but are now receiving harsh and widespread criticism for what is seen as an excessively violent effort.
“Some of the clips circulating online from the memorial service are outrageous. I asked the police for a report on what happened,” Interior Minister Priti Patel wrote on Twitter.
She has the support of opposition leader Keir Starmer, among others.
“There were deeply outrageous scenes that took place in Clapham tonight,” the Labor leader wrote.
Kate Middleton appeared
One of those who appeared on Clapham Common earlier in the evening and laid flowers was Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, wife of Prince William.
According to Sky News, a Middleton and Prince staff member at Kensington Palace “wanted to show respect for the family and Sarah” and he wanted to remember “how it felt to walk at night in London before getting married.”
Johnson lit candles
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he and his fiancee Carrie Symonds will light a candle in Everard’s memory.
“I will do everything I can to make our streets safe and make sure that women and girls are not harassed or abused,” Johnson said.
Sarah Everard was walking to a friend’s house at 9pm on March 3, through a greenbelt in London, when she disappeared. On Friday, police confirmed that her remains had been found in a forest area in Deal, Kent, about 80 miles away.
– The investigation continues and we have hundreds of police officers working around the clock to map the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and murder, Deputy Police Chief Nick Ephgrave said Friday.
Sarah Everard’s moment of remembrance also served as a manifestation. Photo: Frank Augstein / AP / TT
A mountain of flowers has formed in memory of Sarah Everard on Clapham Common. Photo: Victoria Jones / TT
[ad_2]
