Met Police officers who stormed Sarah Everard vigil were NOT 'heavy-handed' or 'inappropriate', review finds

MET Police officers who stormed a vigil held in memory of Sarah Everard "did not act inappropriately or in a heavy-handed manner," a review has found.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) was called in to examine the force's actions after women who attended the event on March 13 were bundled to the ground and arrested.

But the review found that officers at the event did their best to peacefully disperse the crowd, remained calm and professional when subjected to abuse, and did not act inappropriately or in a heavy-handed manner.

It also said the force was "justified" in taking the view that the Covid risks posed by the event were "too great to ignore".

It comes after Mayor Sadiq Khan called for a "full independent investigation" into the Met's handling of the Clapham Common event, which saw cops drag tearful women away from a candle-lit shrine.

Home Secretary Priti Patel also called for the Chief Inspector of Constabulary to conduct a review into policing of the vigil, which descended into chaos.

Sir Thomas Winsor, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary leading the review said: "My thoughts are with Sarah Everard's family and friends, who are suffering the most unthinkable pain.

"The commissions I received from the Home Secretary and the Mayor of London to inspect the Metropolitan Police's handling of the vigil for Sarah Everard on Clapham Common have been fulfilled. This has been a rapid but detailed inspection.

"Public confidence in the police is critical. It is therefore important that there has been an independent, objective, evidence-based inspection to provide public reassurance, which we provide today.

"Our civilian police model is precious. Officers are our fellow citizens, invested by the community to keep the community safe.

"They rely upon and are entitled to receive public support when they act lawfully, sensitively and proportionately; in this case, in the face of severe provocation and in very difficult circumstances, they did just that."

Matt Parr, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, who led the inspection team, said condemnation of the Met's actions was "unwarranted".

He said: "Amidst a heightened public debate on women's safety, and during an unprecedented pandemic, the Metropolitan Police faced a complex and sensitive policing challenge at Clapham Common.

"Condemnation of the Met's actions within mere hours of the vigil – including from people in positions of responsibility – was unwarranted, showed a lack of respect for public servants facing a complex situation, and undermined public confidence in policing based on very limited evidence."

He added: "After reviewing a huge body of evidence – rather than a snapshot on social media – we found that there are some things the Met could have done better, but we saw nothing to suggest police officers acted in anything but a measured and proportionate way in challenging circumstances.

"A minute's silence was held for Sarah at 6pm, after which a peaceful and sombre vigil turned into something else – a rally with dense crowds and little or no social distancing.

"We concluded that the Met was right to recognise the need to be seen to be consistent in its policing of all events and gatherings. They were, therefore, right to enforce the regulations – having gone to some lengths to persuade people to disperse."

More to follow…

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