Five years ago, Sarah Everard was murdered on her way home from Clapham to Brixton by a Metropolitan Police officer.
On the evening of 3rd March 2021, Wayne Couzens abused his power as a serving Met Officer to abduct and lure Sarah to her death.
Sarah’s disappearence and murder sparked national outrage and provoked conversations around trust in policing, and women’s safety in public spaces.
It also marked a watershed in the national conversation around Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
We spoke to female Londoners about how they still fear for their safety, five years on.
‘Not enough has been done’
Ella R, who lives in South London, says while she continues to live her life, she does not feel completely safe.
“I wouldn’t say I feel safe in South London, however it doesn’t stop me from doing things.”
“Growing up, I was a lot more scared, because when you’re a young girl, you get a lot more negative attention.”
She says that the case exposed a deeper, long-standing issue.
“It’s also upsetting that a lot of cases have happened before, and not a lot of awareness has been spread”
Ella believes not enough has changed:
“Definitely not enough has been done. There are still cases of the police doing things that aren’t appropriate and saying things which aren’t appropriate.”
She adds that harassment remains widespread, “street harassment and assault is still going on. It happens on the street, in clubs, in bars, in establishments – and not enough has been done to change that at all.”
Since 2021, women living locally say they have routinely altered their plans and daily decision-making to feel safer – such as choosing to live closer to stations and ubering from place to place.
Molly J, also from South London says,
“It hit close to home and the fact that it was a trusted authority figure, you’re supposed to trust these people and they abused their power”
Like others, she describes the safety precautions she now takes, “I always make sure my locations on and I walk home with a friend or get an Uber.”
‘I remember the day well’
Connie S says the case altered her perception of safety in London.
“I remember the day well. It hit home that even if you turn to the police, you can’t really trust that you are going to be safe.”
“Growing up in South London, now that I’m older and more aware, I do start to feel a lot less safe, especially when it’s a bit dark and I’m using certain routes home.”
Since 2021, the Metropolitan Police has said tackling violence against women and girls is a core priority.
The Angiolini Inquiry was commissioned to uncover the circumstances and failures that led to the murder of Sarah Everard. It highlighted significant opportunities that were missed by multiple police forces to prevent Sarah’s murder. It has called for an overhaul of police vetting and recruitment.
A vigil will be held today at 6pm in remembrance of Sarah Everard at Clapham Common.
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HeadlineLondoners reflect five years on from the murder of Sarah Everard
Short HeadlineLondoners reflect five years on from the murder of Sarah Everard
StandfirstSince Sarah Everard's murder, women in South London say the case still shapes how safe they feel living in the capital.
Five years ago, Sarah Everard was murdered on her way home from Clapham to Brixton by a Metropolitan Police officer.
On the evening of 3rd March 2021, Wayne Couzens abused his power as a serving Met Officer to abduct and lure Sarah to her death.
Sarah’s disappearence and murder sparked national outrage and provoked conversations around trust in policing, and women’s safety in public spaces.
It also marked a watershed in the national conversation around Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
We spoke to female Londoners about how they still fear for their safety, five years on.
‘Not enough has been done’
Ella R, who lives in South London, says while she continues to live her life, she does not feel completely safe.
“I wouldn’t say I feel safe in South London, however it doesn’t stop me from doing things.”
“Growing up, I was a lot more scared, because when you’re a young girl, you get a lot more negative attention.”
She says that the case exposed a deeper, long-standing issue.
“It’s also upsetting that a lot of cases have happened before, and not a lot of awareness has been spread”
Ella believes not enough has changed:
“Definitely not enough has been done. There are still cases of the police doing things that aren’t appropriate and saying things which aren’t appropriate.”
She adds that harassment remains widespread, “street harassment and assault is still going on. It happens on the street, in clubs, in bars, in establishments – and not enough has been done to change that at all.”
Since 2021, women living locally say they have routinely altered their plans and daily decision-making to feel safer – such as choosing to live closer to stations and ubering from place to place.
Molly J, also from South London says,
“It hit close to home and the fact that it was a trusted authority figure, you’re supposed to trust these people and they abused their power”
Like others, she describes the safety precautions she now takes, “I always make sure my locations on and I walk home with a friend or get an Uber.”
‘I remember the day well’
Connie S says the case altered her perception of safety in London.
“I remember the day well. It hit home that even if you turn to the police, you can’t really trust that you are going to be safe.”
“Growing up in South London, now that I’m older and more aware, I do start to feel a lot less safe, especially when it’s a bit dark and I’m using certain routes home.”
Since 2021, the Metropolitan Police has said tackling violence against women and girls is a core priority.
The Angiolini Inquiry was commissioned to uncover the circumstances and failures that led to the murder of Sarah Everard. It highlighted significant opportunities that were missed by multiple police forces to prevent Sarah’s murder. It has called for an overhaul of police vetting and recruitment.
A vigil will be held today at 6pm in remembrance of Sarah Everard at Clapham Common.
