A serving Metropolitan Police officer who was arrested last night in connection with the disappearance of 33-year-old Sarah Everard in Clapham has been further arrested on suspicion of murder.
The man, who is in his 40s and was arrested yesterday evening at an address in Kent, was originally arrested on suspicion of kidnap and was today further arrested on suspicion of murder and a separate allegation of indecent exposure.
A woman, who is aged in her 30s, was also arrested on the evening of 9 March on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The man is a serving Metropolitan Police officer in the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command and his primary role was uniformed patrol duties of diplomatic premises.
Both suspects remain in custody.
Officers are searching locations in London and Kent including a property in Deal and an area of woodland near Ashford.
Following the arrest of the police officer, the Metropolitan Police has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Everard’s family has been kept updated of these developments.
Sarah Everard was last seen on Wednesday evening, 3 March, at around 9:30pm, as CCTV footage shows her walking alone on the A205 Poynders Road, from the junction with Cavendish Road, in the direction of Tulse Hill.
Police are appealing for the public to get in touch if they have seen Everard or were aware of any suspicious behaviour in Clapham on Wednesday night.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I can only imagine the pain and terrible agonies that Sarah Everard’s family and friends are going through right now. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
“All women and girls should be able to feel safe on the streets of London at all times, and I know how shocked and worried Londoners are by Sarah’s disappearance and the developments in the case.
“I want to assure Sarah’s family, and everyone in our city, that the police are doing absolutely everything they can to find her.
“Londoners will continue to see more police officers on our streets continuing their investigation and carrying out reassurance patrols in the area where Sarah went missing a week ago.
“I know how concerned the public will be at the news that a serving police officer has been arrested, and it is right that the case has been referred to the police watchdog for independent investigation.
“I urge anyone with any information at all, even if you think it is small or insignificant, to come forward and call the Met’s Incident Room on 0208 785 8244, or by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”
Anyone with information should call 101 quoting CAD 3309/06MAR.
Members of the public can also call the Missing People charity anonymously on 116 000.
