Didn't coppers used to have identification numbers? Couldn't see any on the TV coverage. And are they so moronic that they think they are not caught on camera when they misbehave?
The Police Officers on Saturday evening were given a job to do by their Commanders, and they did it.
They did not misbehave.
Many people were shocked by the Police’s actions which is different. The Met got the job wrong but that was the fault of the leaders not the Officers on the frontline.
I reckon that first of all it was planned as a peaceful vigil in memory of Sarah Everard.However I reckon some militants joined in and started to cause some problems.
Has anyone stopped to think how Sarah's family feel seeing the headlines, it's bad enough that they are grieving for their beautiful daughter who's been murdered in the most heinous of ways,then to see headlines and TV coverage of what happened on Saturday night !!
Agree with Sunk 07.08 and grumpy 08.16. However, bearing in mind we are in lockdown, I feel the whole idea of a vigil was completely inappropriate as it was always going to draw large numbers, thereby breaking lockdown rules and, ultimately, in a so called law abiding country, involve the police. Why was an illegal gathering thought to be a suitable way to remember that poor young woman? Calling it a ‘vigil’ doesn’t legitimise it.
Agree with Margarettom. And the more I see and hear about it, the more I feel sorry for the police. And insured with Bobbie. The family will suffer more now. The afternoon event of laying flowers was respectful. This so called vigil ended up as a protest, with the addition of people that turn up at any protest, (as one of the ladies at the vigil pointed out!)
When the woman complaining of being handcuffed and thrown to the ground turns out to be an actress advertising for work I wonder how long it will be before she is on chat shows and then in the jungle or on big brother - seems she will get her wish for publicity. I was also very aware that there were several women police officers involved and were being treated appallingly by so called peaceful protestors. Should have just told them to go home or water canons would be turned on them. And yes I know someone is going to say they were all sold off!
OK, I know it was a terrible crime but so were the murders of Millie Downer and Rachel Nickell ( to name just a couple), but were there any vigils for them ? It seems to me that these people can't mourn or grieve in private, they have to "go public" - why ?? Just don't understand it. Sorry.
FBG40
The vigil was about more than the murder of a woman walking home from seeing a friend, it was a protest that women do not feel safe on the street, where they are abused, cat-called, attacked.