Questions asked of West Mercia Police after Sarah Everard murder

Police and crime commissioner John Campion, whose job it is to hold West Mercia Police to account, has sought urgent reassurance from Chief Constable Pippa Mills after details of Ms Everard's murder emerging in recent days.

The court heard Couzens, who was handed a whole life term, had been planning for at least a month before abducting Ms Everard, 33, as she walked home from a friend’s house in Clapham, south London, on the evening of March 3.

Metropolitan Police firearms officer Couzens, who had been “hunting” for a victim, used his warrant card and handcuffs to snatch the marketing executive off the street using Covid lockdown rules to make a false arrest.

Sarah Everard (left) and Wayne Couzens (right)

Lord Justice Fulford said the case in which a serving officer abused his position was so exceptional it warranted a whole life order, meaning Couzens will never be freed.

Ms Everard’s parents, Jeremy and Susan, her brother James and sister Katie said they were pleased with the sentence in a statement after the hearing.

They said: “Wayne Couzens held a position of trust as a police officer and we are outraged and sickened that he abused this trust in order to lure Sarah to her death. The world is a safer place with him imprisoned.”

But the commissioner has sought reassurance that West Mercia Police are proactively reassuring the community following the horrific murder in London.

He said he wanted to ensure that there were robust processes in place for people to check the identity of any officer.

He also said he wanted to ensure there was work going on to identify inappropriate use of police equipment by officers and staff, including staff being comfortable in raising their concerns.

John Campion said “This horrific incident will have understandably affected the trust of the country in policing.

"One individual’s actions should not undo the excellent and committed work that many officers tirelessly do to protect all members of our community both in West Mercia and nationally.

“I as Commissioner know that now more than ever, members of our community especially women and girls need to feel reassured.#

"Reassurance needs to be in place to guarantee everyone will be treated appropriately should a police officer speak to them. That they only experience the police in a legitimate manner or when they need assistance. They should be confident in the service they are provided with.

“The safety of women and girls continues to be a key priority in my Safer West Mercia Plan and I am committed to ensuring that they not only are safe but feel safe. I will ensure they are not only given a voice, but they are being listened to.”

West Mercia Police has been asked to comment.