Metropolitan Police acted “appropriately” over Sarah Everard vigil
A police watchdog has published a report
A police watchdog has concluded the Metropolitan Police acted “appropriately” in its handling of a vigil for Sarah Everard earlier this month.
The Met came under widespread criticism following the vigil as officers clashed with crowds and there were calls for force boss Dame Cressida Dick to resign.
But Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) found officers were “justified” in their response and “did their best to peacefully disperse the crowd”.
Matt Parr, (HMIC), who led the inspection team, said:
"Amidst a heightened public debate on women's safety, and during an unprecedented pandemic, the Metropolitan Police faced a complex and sensitive policing challenge at Clapham Common.
"Condemnation of the Met's actions within mere hours of the vigil - including from people in positions of responsibility - was unwarranted, showed a lack of respect for public servants facing a complex situation, and undermined public confidence in policing based on very limited evidence.
"After reviewing a huge body of evidence - rather than a snapshot on social media - we found that there are some things the Met could have done better, but we saw nothing to suggest police officers acted in anything but a measured and proportionate way in challenging circumstances.''
A Metropolitan Police statement said the force hoped the watchdog's report "goes some way to build confidence'' in policing in London.
Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said:
"We are outraged at Sarah's death which has left us even more determined to tackle violence against women and girls.
"This report makes clear the difficult circumstances officers faced as a peaceful vigil became a hostile rally. We must always be consistent in our policing of public events.
"I am extremely proud of the restraint, compassion and professionalism officers showed during a fast-moving and challenging situation. They spent considerable time engaging, explaining and encouraging before considering any enforcement action.
"Officers acted thoughtfully, sensibly and proportionately with the best interests of Londoners at heart given we remain in a public health crisis.
"We welcome the considered scrutiny of this event which highlights how a snapshot may not represent the full context of the challenges police face.''
While broadly supportive of the handling of the event, HMIC found that that there was insufficient communication between police commanders about changing events on the ground.
The Silver Commander was not told about the arrival of anti-lockdown campaigner Piers Corbyn, when a public address system was put up on the bandstand, or warned that the Duchess of Cambridge would be paying her respects. The report said:
"The Silver Commander learnt of her visit only when it was reported by Sky News.
"While we understand that it may be the tactic of protection teams to minimise pre-warning of VIPs' movements, this is a matter of concern.
"The incident illustrates the absence of effective communication to the Silver Commander about changing events on the ground.''
The watchdog also found that the force should have adopted "a more conciliatory response'' amid criticism after the event. It said:
"The media coverage of this incident led to what many will conclude was a public relations disaster for the Metropolitan Police.''
The report went on: "We heard the Metropolitan Police's response to events described as 'tone deaf'; we acknowledge that a more conciliatory response might have served the force's interests better.''
Organisers Reclaim These Streets cancelled their vigil planned on Clapham Common on March 13 after accusing Metropolitan Police bosses of refusing to engage constructively with them.
But crowds attended anyway, leading to clashes between police and protesters who had gathered near the bandstand. The inspectors said there was a tipping point at around 6pm, when around 1,500 people crowded together to listen to speakers.
Officers near the bandstand were outnumbered and faced abuse.
The report also criticised those who condemed the Metropolitan Police” claiming it could have undermined confidence in the police.”
The report said: "The chorus of those condemning the Metropolitan Police, and calling for the resignation of the commissioner, within hours of the arrests - and presumably, with a very limited understanding of what had happened - was unwarranted.
"Whereas a certain degree of uninformed commentary, particularly on social media, is inevitable, in this case some of the leading voices were those in positions of some responsibility.
"It is one thing - as in the case of the Home Secretary - to recognise that the scenes were worrying or upsetting (and to order an inspection such as this).
"It is another to jump to conclusions - and in doing so, undermine public confidence in policing - based on very limited evidence.
"To do so shows a distinct lack of respect for public servants facing, as we have described, a sensitive and complex situation.''
But HMIC acknowledged that the Met Police's own "tone deaf'' response to the event had itself undermined confidence in the force, and failed to effectively make the case for the officers involved.
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, called on those who had criticised the force to apologise. He said:
"We said on the very evening, that politicians of all parties should make themselves aware of all the facts before rushing to judgment and making statements.
"But these armchair critics on their Saturday night sofas did not. The knee-jerk commentary from politicians of all parties - who as the report states were reacting to a snapshot on social media rather than the facts - has made the already difficult job of our colleagues in London incredibly harder. And more dangerous. And for that, these people should be ashamed.
"This was outrageous behaviour from those who should know better and we trust as elected officials, and we now call on these politicians to make themselves accountable and to apologise to our hard-working colleagues for the damage they have done.''