Arrests at Sarah Everard vigil as woman speaks out at 'disgraceful' police presence

A woman who was arrested at the Sarah Everard vigil last weekend has criticised the police's presence as 'disgraceful'.

The 'Reclaim These Streets' vigil took place on Saturday at Clapham Common.

The event, while mostly peaceful, had scuffles break out as police surrounded a bandstand covered in floral tributes to Sarah Everard.

Four arrests were made for public order offences and for breaches of the Health Protection Regulations.

Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball released a statement on the events of Clapham Common:

"Around 6pm, more people began to gather close to the bandstand within the Common. Some started to make speeches from the bandstand. These speeches then attracted more people to gather closer together.

"At this point, officers on the ground were faced with a very difficult decision. Hundreds of people were packed tightly together, posing a very real risk of easily transmitting Covid-19.

"Police must act for people's safety, this is the only responsible thing to do. The pandemic is not over and gatherings of people from right across London and beyond, are still not safe.

"After speaking with officers, the vast majority of people quickly left.

"Part of the reason I am speaking to you tonight is because we accept that the actions of our officers have been questioned.

"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.

"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."

Patsy Stevenson was one of the women detained by police at the vigil.

"The fact that the police turned up was just disgraceful because before then it was a peaceful protest", she told Counterfire website.

"I was arrested by police for standing there. I wasn't doing anything, they threw me to the floor."

"They have pictures of me on the floor being arrested. I'm 5ft 2 and I weigh nothing."

Home Secretary Priti Patel said on social media: "Some of the footage circulating online from the vigil in Clapham is upsetting.

"I have asked the Metropolitan Police for a full report on what happened."

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has also released a statement calling the policing of the vigil "completely unacceptable".

The Mayor said he was "not satisfied with the explanation" the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner provided him.

Find all the latest news from Tooting on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.