Outrage as woman on way home from Sarah Everard vigil and flashed by man ‘is told by cops “we’re too busy to respond”‘
POLICE are investigating claims a woman flashed by a man near a vigil for tragic Sarah Everard on Saturday was ignored by officers.
The 27-year-old, named as Georgina, said she told cops a man exposed himself to her as she walked her dog near the event in Clapham Common.
But she claims the male officer told her: "We're not dealing with this".
Georgina told The Sun: “I was frankly really shocked given light of everything. I was walking my dog and we went via the vigil last night to observe quietly from afar.
“Afterwards I was walking to the main section near Clapham Common South Side around 8pm.
“There was a short white man in his 50s and I noticed him because he was flailing about and leaving over a railing.
“I was just trying to get past him and that’s when I noticed his genitals were out. He was waving himself about.
“I walked past and I could see there was a ton of police near the Windmill Pub. This isn’t the first time that this has happened in Clapham so I thought, this is great, I can go straight to tell the police about it.
“There was a group of maybe five or six of them and the policewoman said ok let’s go. Then one of the male officers came up and said ‘no, we’re not dealing with this, we’ve had enough with the riot tonight, we’re not dealing with this’.
“I was like, really? After everything that’s happened, I felt really unsafe.”
Georgina has reported the officer's alleged conduct to the Met Police and a meeting has been arranged.
They have confirmed they received a report of indecent exposure and said the response from officers at the scene would be "looked at".
Georgina said: "After I had tried to talk to the police, I just had to go home. Luckily, I didn’t have to walk back where the man was.
“I filed a report online and they gave me a call straight away. They are coming on Tuesday to inquire more. It is encouraging and they are taking it seriously since I reported it online."
She also claims she has previously been a victim of indecent exposure while on the common.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police received a report of indecent exposure that occurred in the vicinity of Clapham Common at approximately 20.00 hours on Saturday 13 of March.
“The complainant, a woman, reported that a man had exposed himself.
“An appointment has been made with the woman to progress this.
“We are aware of a report that she tried to report the incident at the time to officers in the area – this will be looked at.”
The claims come as cops were slammed for their handling of the vigil, which was held after Sarah Everard's tragic death.
Sarah, 33, was allegedly abducted and murdered by PC Wayne Couzens as she walked home from a friend's house in Clapham on March 3.
Thousands gathered at the common after her death sparked a social movement with women sharing their experiences of not feeling safe in London.
Police have been criticised after clashes erupted with mourners who came to pay their respects after an official Reclaim the Streets vigil was cancelled.
Met Commissioner Cressida Dick is facing growing calls to resign after being locked in crisis talks with Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patel, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
In a blistering attack, Mr Khan said he was “not satisfied with the explanation” he was given and ordered two separate investigations into the heavy handed tactics.
The Home Secretary has also asked the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Tom Winsor, to investigate.
Mr Johnson said Sarah's death must “unite us in determination” to end violence against women and girls.
The PM will today chair a meeting of the Crime and Justice Taskforce to look at ways to make Britain’s streets more safe.
Home secretary Priti Patel is expected to attend the meeting along with Dame Cressida Dick and Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill.
The PM will use the meeting to discuss the government’s strategy on preventing violence against women, rape prosecutions and the criminal justice system.
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Ahead of the meeting, he said: “Like everyone who saw it I was deeply concerned about the footage from Clapham Common on Saturday night.
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“I have spoken with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner who has committed to reviewing how this was handled and the Home Secretary has also commissioned HM Inspectorate of Constabulary to conduct a lessons learned review into the policing of the event.”
Mr Johnson added: “The death of Sarah Everard must unite us in determination to drive out violence against women and girls and make every part of the criminal justice system work to protect and defend them.”
