Car park cordoned off as divers join search for clues into death

POLICE OFFICERS investigating the death of Sarah Everard were yesterday combing a supermarket car park in the hope of finding vital clues to aid the murder inquiry.

Large portions of the historic town of Sandwich in Kent remained cordoned off with police tape yesterday afternoon as inquiries into the death of the 33-year-old continue.

Alongside the searches in the supermarket car park, specialist divers were also seen searching a stretch of water.

Serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with kidnapping and killing the marketing executive, who was raised in York and went missing while walking home from a friend’s flat in south London on March 3.

Yesterday, officers used sticks to search through a shopping trolley shelter outside a Co-operative supermarket, while others looked under vehicles.

At the edge of the cordon, a few officers gathered for discussion as one showed their colleagues a piece of gold jewellery that was then put in an evidence bag.

Police officers have been searching the Co-op car park in Sandwich after a body found hidden in woodland at Ashford was identified as that of Ms Everard.

Meanwhile, a specialist marine unit from Devon and Cornwall was yesterday on the scene, with officers believed to be preparing to search in the water.

The River Stour runs through the town of Sandwich, located a couple of miles from the coast.

In a separate car park by the town’s Guildhall, officers dressed in blue overalls were seen pulling on wellies in another cordonedoff area.

Divers carrying breathing tanks were seen heading towards The Ropewalk near the town centre.

Once there, the officers lowered themselves into a stretch of water and began slowly moving along.

On Sunday, Sandwich Town Council said it is in contact with Kent Police on behalf of Scotland Yard as part of the investigation.

Scotland Yard said police have routinely been searching areas of London and Kent as part of the investigation.

The Met Police said Couzens joined the force two years ago in September 2018 when he worked for a response team covering the Bromley area, before moving to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in February last year.

He is being held in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey today.