Met police defends handling of Sarah Everard vigil in London as 'necessary'

The Metropolitan police have defended their policing of the London vigil in memory of Sarah Everard, after widespread criticism of the force’s handling of the gathering. In the early hours of Sunday, the Met’s assistant commissioner, Helen Ball, said officers were put into a position 'where enforcement action was necessary', because of 'the overriding need to protect people’s safety'. Four people were arrested for public order offences and for breaches of health protection regulations.

[rossellinirossicalrossc]

Isn’t it strange how they manage to arrest 4 people at a vigil, yet didn’t manage to arrest the man who exposed himself to women in a McDonalds a few days before murdering Sarah...

[shetlandside]

the police always seem to show up just before violence occurs, what a great coincidence!

[antfrancis]

Baring in mind this vigil only came about because a young innocent lady was slain by a police officer.

[mikeelliott]

By the time the police took "enforcement action" to "protect people's safety" the damage had already been done.

[jade]

“police must act for people’s safety”

poor choice of words, huh?

[JAMProductions]

It’s weirds me out that she has to read off a script

[llamalad]

*wrestles people to the ground*
"This is for your safety"

[Glocky]

BLM protests: kneel

Vigil for murdered woman: Shove and arrest the women

[mollybushby]

Thousands of kids are all going to be together tomorrow. Why can’t a hundred people pay their respects without being faced with violence.

[mythicalirishman]

The wolf investigated the wolf's den and found nothing wrong.
She's reading a script carefully worded to blame the people.

[alantracy]

What is this Reiner says its a “crime against humanity” 14 legal cases lodged

[al_bish]

Hats off to guardian news for keeping comments turned on however it probably won't be long

[markdrabwell]

Is this some kind of a joke? Assistant commissioner, who looks and sounds like a rabbit caught in the headlights, what has happened to the Met? Running away on the streets of London, and now this diabolical bullying of Women holding a peaceful vigil to a person murdered by one of their own, total disgrace.

[jameskrell]

There is no defence when you allow other demonstrations due to culture.

[billybobferguson]

"Congratulations, you are being rescued. Please do not resist."

[fakiola]

How we’re the BLM protests not a risk to coronavirus transmission?

[onlymejules]

There is also a thing called common sense. When there is a vigil regarding a police officer killing a women, you don't then get heavy handed on such vigil against women with a load of jobsworths, making relations worse.

[bobbyschmurdashat]

why is it such a shock for people that some police officers are corrupt its been happening since before i was born

[matthulme]

This is what you get when the system looses accountability

[neilwheel]

Remind me again, what profession is the guy who's been arrested?