Londoners protest as police officer charged with woman's murder

LONDON - London police faced criticism on Saturday and calls for investigations after clashing with crowds at a memorial for murder victim Sarah Everard whose death has sparked widespread anger and fear about women's safety.

Police told organisers of events to honour Everard planned in London and around the country that public gatherings would be in breach of COVID-19 restrictions and could lead to fines up to 10,000 pounds ($14,000).

Organisers at Reclaim These Streets said they had cancelled a vigil on Clapham Common in south London near where Everard, 33, was last seen 10 days ago. Other events around the country were also cancelled.

But hundreds of women and men - including Kate, Duchess of Cambridge - went to Clapham Common during the day to leave flowers and drawings at a memorial to Everard.

As more people arrived during the evening, some chanting "sisters united will never be defeated", police stormed in and tried to disperse the crowds gathered around a bandstand. Video footage showed scuffles and some women forced to the floor.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the scenes from Clapham Common were "unacceptable".

"The police have a responsibility to enforce COVID laws but from images I've seen it's clear the response was at times neither appropriate nor proportionate," Khan said on Twitter.

"I'm in contact with the Commissioner & urgently seeking an explanation."

British interior minister Priti Patel said "some of the footage circulating online from the vigil in Clapham is upsetting".

"I have asked the Metropolitan Police for a full report on what happened," she said on Twitter.