Police in London are facing scrutiny after clashing with mourners at a vigil for Sarah Everard, a woman believed to have been killed by an officer.
Videos and photos posted on social media late Saturday showed dozens of officers facing off with demonstrators who shouted “arrest your own,” a reference to Wayne Couzens, 48, a suspect in Everard’s death.
In a statement Sunday, London Metropolitan Police acting commissioner Helen Ball said that four people were arrested and argued that police had a duty to step in and make arrests due to the size of the crowd and concerns about COVID-19.
“We absolutely did not want to be in a position where enforcement action was necessary. But we were placed in this position because of the overriding need to protect people’s safety,” said Ball.
“Part of the reason I am speaking to you tonight is because we accept that the actions of our officers have been questioned,” she continued. “Let me end by saying that across the Met, we review every single event that we police to see if there are lessons that can be learnt. This one will be no different.”
Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins said Sunday that officers will have to explain their actions taken Saturday evening against demonstrators.
“Last night people were very, very upset, there was a great deal of emotion, completely understandably, and the police, being as they are operationally independent, will be having to explain that to the Home Secretary,” she said, according to Reuters.
Couzens faces charges of kidnapping and murder relating to the disappearance of the 33-year-old Everard from the city’s Clapham Common on Mar. 3