PROTESTERS have branded the police as “shameful” for breaking up a vigil to remember Sarah Everard.

Hundreds gathered at Valley Gardens in Brighton last night despite warnings not to flout coronavirus lockdown rules, and despite event organisers saying the event was cancelled.

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

Others had gathered around a tree with messages, flowers and candles.

It follows four arrests made at a vigil held at Clapham Common in London by the Metropolitan Police.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she has demanded a report from the force about what happened, while London Mayor Sadiq Khan said there needs to be an “urgent explanation”.

Pictures from the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in Brighton, where police issued eight fines and made one arrest for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules

Pictures from the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in Brighton, where police issued eight fines and made one arrest for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules

In Brighton, about 150 people gathered in memory of Ms Everard, 33, seeking 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 Ms Everard was found in a rural area near Ashford in Kent this week. Meanwhile serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared in court accused of her kidnap and murder.

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

Pictures from the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in Brighton, where police issued eight fines and made one arrest for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules

Pictures from the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in Brighton, where police issued eight fines and made one arrest for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules

On Twitter Francesco Thornton wrote: “This was just one of the arrests in Brighton at the peaceful vigil for Sarah Everard.

“Five people to one woman. Shameful. We were mourning.”

Pictures from the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in Brighton, where police issued eight fines and made one arrest for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules

Pictures from the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in Brighton, where police issued eight fines and made one arrest for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules

Others said the demonstration was a peaceful one, until the police arrived.

One protester, who did not wish to be named, said: “It was a peaceful, static protest but the police started to arrest people forcefully and violently.

“There are many videos of how heated it got when more police arrived but also of how peaceful and powerful the vigil was up until that point.”

Pictures from the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in Brighton, where police issued eight fines and made one arrest for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules

Pictures from the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in Brighton, where police issued eight fines and made one arrest for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules

Sussex Police had earlier warned those attending that the force understood people’s desire to make a statement about women’s safety, mourn the death of Sarah Everard, and show respect.

But the force warned “there are no exceptions” to the current coronavirus lockdown rules.

Pictures from the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in Brighton, where police issued eight fines and made one arrest for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules

Pictures from the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in Brighton, where police issued eight fines and made one arrest for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules

The force said: “Officers attended and 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.”