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Murder

Demands for Law Change and Inquiry Follow Sarah Everard Tragedy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The kidnapping, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer have sparked widespread outrage and calls for reform in the UK. Members of Parliament are pushing for a law change to ensure public safety, alongside a statutory judge-led inquiry into the tragedy. The proposed changes aim to address the culture within the police and the behavior of some officers. Labour former Shadow Attorney General Baroness Chakrabarti stressed that the changes must be implemented to prevent similar tragedies, while Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford emphasized the need to restore trust and confidence in the police.

Key Takeaways:

  • A law change is being demanded in Parliament to prevent arresting officers from making detained individuals enter a vehicle or premises other than a police station unless at least one other constable is present.
  • A statutory judge-led inquiry, similar to the one held into the racist killing of Stephen Lawrence, is being proposed to learn lessons from the death of Sarah Everard.
  • The inquiry would require the setting up of a far-reaching inquiry headed by a serving or retired senior female judge, encompassing vetting and organization of policing, prevention of violence against women, and investigation and prosecution of misogynistic crimes.
  • Labour former Shadow Attorney General Baroness Chakrabarti called for a "Lawrence moment," referencing the inquiry led by retired judge Sir William Macpherson following the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993.
  • Leading lawyer Lord Carlile of Berriew emphasized the need for a solution to the fear that exists among young women about lone male police officers.
  • The Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford emphasized the need to understand how a police officer was able to commit such a crime and to restore trust and confidence in the police.

Statistics:

  • Wayne Couzens, the police officer who kidnapped and murdered Sarah Everard, was known as "the rapist" in his previous job at the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.
  • At least one other constable must be present when an arresting officer makes a detained individual enter a vehicle or premises other than a police station.
  • A serving or retired senior female judge would lead the statutory inquiry into the death of Sarah Everard.
  • Sir William Macpherson led the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993.
  • The Metropolitan Police was described as "institutionally racist" by the inquiry led by Sir William Macpherson.

Sources:

  • Peer Massonet (2021) "Law changes sought after Sarah Everard's police officer killer branded 'rapist'". News article published on The Daily Telegraph, March 26.
  • SA Mathieson (2021) "Sarah Everard's murder: Wayne Couzens 'known as "the rapist" in previous job'". News article published on The Guardian, March 25.

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