Sarah Everard: 'Small number' attend vigils in West Midlands after events were cancelled

Gatherings were set to be held in Victoria Square, Birmingham, and Broadgate in Coventry, in tribute to Ms Everard.

But it was officially cancelled after chiefs reached out to organisers to explain the vigils would be breaking lockdown rules.

Chiefs have revealed a "small number" of people chose to attend briefly to pay their respects and make a statement on the issues of women's safety.

They were socially-distanced and were wearing face masks and no enforcement action was taken, a spokesman for West Midlands Police said.

The spokesman added: "We did not have to take any enforcement action last night.

"We understand the strength of feeling and people’s desire to come together to mourn and show respect to Sarah Everard as well as to make a statement and organise on the issue of women’s safety.

"We know many people took part in online events as well as a doorstep vigils and we thank those who chose to stand together over this important matter in a Covid-safe way.

"We will continue to balance the desire for people to express their feelings against the very real risks of the spread of this deadly virus."

It comes as the head of the Metropolitan Police faces intense pressure to explain her officers' actions during a vigil in memory of Ms Everard.

Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick is facing calls to resign after clashes between police and crowds who gathered on Clapham Common on Saturday night to remember the 33-year-old.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police were seen grabbing several women and leading them away in handcuffs.