Man arrested as hundreds gather in Brighton for Sarah Everard vigil

WATCH: Kit Bradshaw's report from Brighton. He spoke to Francesca Thornton and Emily Yates who were at the vigil.

Protestors in Brighton have branded as 'shameful' the police response to a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard.

Sussex Police say around 150 people gathered at Valley Gardens last night despite warnings not to flout coronavirus lockdown rules, and despite organisers saying the event was cancelled.

Pictures show police issuing fines and leading one man away from the area under arrest.

Other images on social media show people gathering around a tree to leave messages, flowers and candles.

Credit: Francesca Thornton

Before cancelling the event, organisers said the peaceful gathering sought to “reclaim these streets” and stated: “We believe that streets should be safe for women, regardless of what you wear, where your life is or what time of day or night it is.”

The body of Sarah Everard was found in a rural area near Ashford in Kent this week. Serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared in court on Saturday accused of her kidnap and murder.

The vigils were sparked by the murder of 33 year old Sarah Everard

An 18 year old man was arrested on suspicion of failing to comply with a direction in order to control coronavirus

Some of those attending the vigil have criticised Sussex Police for making the arrest and fining eight others for flouting Covid-19 emergency rules not to gather in public.

In response Sussex Police released a statement, saying they "engaged with those present, explaining the government’s coronavirus regulations and encouraging them to move on from the area. Where this wasn’t successful, officers moved to necessary and proportionate enforcement action. This is consistent with our policing approach throughout the pandemic."

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said she understood the concern and grief felt by people over the death of Sarah Everard.

But in a statement released on Sunday evening she said Covid remained a very real threat:

“We all know the harrowing statistics around violence against women and girls and the shocking revelations over the last few days have sparked conversations focused on female safety.  However, our concern and outrage will not protect us from Covid which remains a very real threat to everybody’s safety. 

 “I have already spoken to the Chief Constable to better understand the policing of last night’s gathering and am reassured to learn that the majority of people present adhered to the rules that have helped drive Covid levels down. 

 “It is also worth recognising that, throughout this pandemic, local residents have told me that they feel reassured with the four E’s approach that Sussex Police have continually applied.  

 “Let us now allow the family of Sarah to mourn their loss, let us express our own sorrow and anger proportionately and let justice take its course.”