Despite cancellation, 200 turned up to pay respects to Sarah Everard in Sheffield
Around 200 people visited Devonshire Green to pay their respects following the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard last Saturday, although the formal vigil was cancelled.
Despite the big turnout, South Yorkshire Police said the event passed peacefully without incident under the watchful eye of the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team.
On March 13, flowers and messages paying tribute to Sarah Everard were laid on Devonshire Green - the site where a Reclaim The Streets vigil was due to take place.
The organisers were forced to call off the event after police threatened attendees with fines for breaking social distancing rules.
Temporary Chief Superintendent Shelley Hemsley, Sheffield's District Commander said they saw numbers at their peak around 6pm.
CUSTOMER: Historic Sheffield chocolate company Thorntons to permanently close all shops due to Covid
However, those who attended maintained social distancing with people leaving flowers or lighting a candle, before moving on.
"Police maintained a discreet presence at the event, which passed peacefully without incident."
She said the force understands the feeling among the community remains high and they may want to continue to pay their respects or make their voices heard on the issue of women's safety.
However, they remain committed to engaging with organisers of events to explain the current rules and urge people to remain at home, under the current restrictions.
"While cases in South Yorkshire continue to fall, it is imperative we work together to continue to protect our communities from Covid."
The death of Everard in London, and the subsequent arrest of serving police officer Wayne Couzens on suspicion of her kidnap and murder has sparked debate nationwide over the safety of women against the threat of male violence and abuse on the streets.
She went missing after leaving a friend’s house in Clapham, south London, at around 9pm.
She is believed to have walked through Clapham Common on her way home to Brixton, a journey that should have taken around 50 minutes.
At a recent vigil in Clapham Common, one of several around the country, became controversial when it resulted in clashes with police and women were seen being physically restrained.
The vigil, called ‘Reclaim These Streets’, is organised across the UK as a way to remember women lost to violence.