Cops vigil tactics a threat to us all

SPEAKING on Sunday’s Andrew Marr Show, Home Office minister Victoria Atkins should have condemned the police actions at the women’s vigil on Saturday and promised a full and swift enquiry.

Instead we got the usual bluff the authorities seem to excel at.

Perhaps this is what we can expect every time people disagree with the Government and want to make their voice heard.

Especially as new legislation goes before Parliament this week which would impose tough new restrictions on the right to protest. John Fellows, Blyth Northumberland

At a time of national mourning for Sarah Everard, killed walking home in South London, the police are rightfully under scrutiny after appalling scenes at a Clapham Common vigil for her.

Tact was needed at this sensitive time, not heavy-handed tactics.

Instead we saw women manhandled and pinned to the ground. Where was the leadership in all this? And more importantly, is Britain becoming a police state? Bill Cook, Teignmouth, Devon

The women who were holding a peaceful vigil in Clapham Common were assailed by the police in a heavy-handed fashion that shocked and upset many.

Sarah Everard’s death had precipitated real concern among women who wanted to rally together in a show of unity. The ugly scenes of them being dragged to the ground and roughly handcuffed is an image that can’t be easily dispelled. As head of the Metropolitan Police Cressida Dick should be held responsible. And if she has any sense of honour she should consider her position.

M Smith, Chatham, Kent

Surely anyone can see that using heavy-handed tactics on defenceless women was entirely the wrong response from the police.

Using Covid restrictions as justification for their lack of sensitivity simply enhances the idea that this is a form of social control, and that it could result in any demonstration, protest or gathering of people the authorities don’t like being met by force.

This kind of policing must not be tolerated in a democracy.

Tony Sykes, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

The country has been in and out of lockdowns for almost a year but the irresponsible crowd on Clapham Common decided to ignore advice and hold a vigil. It may have been for a good cause but it was unacceptable to ignore rules to keep us all safe.

I hope this mass demonstration doesn’t lead to any escalation of infection rates.

It should be safe on our streets day and night and more walking police patrols are needed like the old days, but demonstrations like this only remove police officers from more important tasks.

Guy Middlewood, York

I think officers’ behaviour during Saturday’s protest on Clapham Common, completely discredits the Metropolitan Police.

The Met have given the impression they don’t care about womens’ rights to walk the streets safely. Keith Longmore Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk

I don’t understand why so many women were gathering for a vigil and not taking Covid restrictions seriously. I am sure Sarah would not want her death to have caused more deaths from the virus.

M George, Biggleswade, Beds