Controversy Over Harsh Crackdown by UK Police at Vigil for Woman Murdered on Way Home

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The controversy has intensified as British police forcefully suppressed a memorial protest for Sarah Everard, a woman in her 30s who was kidnapped and murdered by an on-duty police officer on her way home.

According to local media including The Guardian on the 14th (local time), thousands of citizens held a memorial gathering for Everard at Clapham Common Park in South London the previous day.

The police prohibited the gathering citing COVID-19 restrictions, but the protesters proceeded as planned. Citizens were particularly outraged by police remarks that seemed to blame women for the incident, such as "Women should return home early for their safety."

A female organizer said, "We came here (more angered) because after Everard went missing, the police told women to stay home to avoid attacks," adding, "Women reject (the police's advice)."

The police responded to the defiant memorial gathering with a strong crackdown. They trampled on flowers and candles placed in mourning for Everard and engaged in violent scuffles with citizens who refused to disperse.

Scenes of police pushing and dragging citizens were shared on social media, sparking widespread criticism. In particular, footage of police handcuffing a woman lying on the ground with her arms pulled behind her caused public outrage.

The police issued a statement the next morning, explaining, "A speech took place around 6 p.m., causing a large crowd to gather, increasing the risk of COVID-19 infection," and said, "(Dispersal) was a very difficult decision."

Voices publicly condemning the police also emerged from the government and local authorities, with growing calls for the resignation of Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in London.

However, Commissioner Dick rejected the resignation pressure. BBC and The Times, citing sources, reported that "Commissioner Dick has the confidence of the Home Secretary."

Meanwhile, Everard disappeared on the evening of the 3rd around 9:30 p.m. while walking home from a friend's house, about 50 minutes away. Her body was found a week later on the 10th in a forest about 80 km from her home. The police arrested Wayne Couzens, an on-duty police officer, as a suspect for kidnapping and murder.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.