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The Metropolitan Police face harsh criticism for its handling of a memorial vigil for Sarah Everard, and Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick is urged to resign.
Skirmishes broke out at the meeting on Clapham Common when officers told attendees to go home, and at one point, officers were seen grabbing several women and leading them away in handcuffs.
In the early hours of the morning, Scotland Yard confirmed that four people were arrested for public order offenses and for violating coronavirus restrictions at the South London vigil.
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Police clash with crowd at Sarah Everard vigil
Interior Minister Priti Patel described the circulating images of the police actions as “annoying” and confirmed that she has demanded a full report on what happened.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan added that he was in contact with Dame Cressida and was “urgently seeking an explanation.”
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer called the scenes “deeply disturbing”, adding: “This was not the way to control this protest.”
The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, went further: he wrote a strongly worded letter to Dame Cressida. In it, he said: “This was a complete and abject tactical and moral failure on the part of the police.”
“We therefore ask that you consider your servant leadership and whether you can continue to be trusted by the millions of women in London that you have a duty to safeguard and protect.”
Reclaim These Streets, which had chosen to cancel its event, said women across the country “are deeply saddened and angered by the scenes of police officers physically abusing women at a vigil against male violence.”
Officers have been criticized for ‘physically mistreating women at a vigil against male violence’
Organizers also claimed that the Met had not worked with them to ensure that a vigil could be held safely, adding: “By doing so, they created a dangerous and unsafe situation. It is their responsibility to protect public order, public health. and the right to protest, have failed in all respects. “
Saturday night’s statement concluded: “This week of every week, the police should have understood that women would need a place to cry, reflect and show solidarity. Now is the time for the police and government to recognize that the criminal justice system is failing women.
“Tonight, he has failed women again, in the most destructive way.”
Dame Cressida Dick has been urged to resign as commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Stock Image
The gathering at Clapham Common had been largely peaceful, but the atmosphere turned to anger as police surrounded a flower-covered bandstand.
As police escorted several women, the crowd shouted “what a shame”, and during a confrontation, a distraught woman told officers: “They are supposed to protect us.”
Reclaim These Streets Says Police Failed to Protect Public Order, Public Health, and Right to Protest
Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball defended the police actions in a statement.
She said: “Around 6pm, more people started gathering near the kiosk inside the commons. Some started making speeches from the kiosk. These speeches then attracted more people to gather closer together.
“At this point, officers on the ground faced a very difficult decision. Hundreds of people were huddled together, posing a very real risk of easily transmitting COVID-19.”
He added: “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 officers, pushing and throwing. objects “.
The deputy commissioner said Scotland Yard accepts that the actions of its officers have been questioned, but added: “We absolutely did not want to be in a position where enforcement action was necessary. But we were placed in this position because of imperative necessity. to protect people’s safety.
“Let me end by saying that throughout the Met we review each of the events we monitor to see if there are lessons to be learned. This one will be no different.”
Sarah Everard disappeared while walking home on Clapham Common earlier this month.
Everard, a marketing executive, disappeared while walking home on Clapham Common earlier this month and was later found dead in a woods in Kent.
Wayne Couzens, a Metropolitan Police officer, appeared in Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with his kidnapping and murder.
