Arrests, anger and scuffles as park tribute turns ugly

LAST night’s London vigil for Sarah was mired in controversy after hundreds turned up at the event that was banned on Covid grounds – and tempers quickly frayed.

The Clapham Common event was one of 32 planned across the UK to pay tribute to Sarah, while also calling for women’s safety on our streets.

Organisers Reclaim These Streets were forced to drop all their plans as police threatened lockdown fines of £10,000 per vigil organiser.

Commander Catherine Roper said the Met Police took “no joy” in outlawing the Clapham park vigil. Although mostly peaceful, scuffles broke out before 8pm.

Some chanted “shame on you” at officers as a number of women were dragged away.

Social media footage

TENSION Police and the Clapham crowd last night showed a tussle between officers and some of the crowd by the bandstand in Clapham.

Police vans were daubed with graffiti and one vehicle had a window smashed.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted that the scenes were “disturbing”, adding: “Women came together to mourn Sarah Everard – they should have been able to do so peacefully.”

Labour MP Stella Creasy said the Met should do some “soul-searching” about “how they got this so wrong”.

The Met Police tweeted last night: “We understand the strength of feeling and share Londoners’ outrage at the disappearance and death of #SarahEverard. We remain in a health crisis and urge people to disperse or go home.”

The crowds were finally dispersed at around 8.30pm.