Tonight's candlelight vigil on the doorsteps of Britain is for Sarah Everard and anyone who has ever fallen victim to violence

Since the news of a missing young woman hit headlines last week, there has been a collective outcry on behalf of Sarah Everard - and every woman who has ever fallen victim to male violence. 

Vigils for Sarah were organised across the country to take place tonight via a Faceboook event, titled ‘Reclaim These Streets'. 

The events are no longer taking place, due to the risks associated with Covid-19, but in its place, a doorstep vigil is taking place tonight at 9.30pm. 

In a statement, Reclaim These Streets organisers said, 'We have been very disappointed that given the many opportunities to engage with organisers constructively, the Metropolitan Police have been unwilling to commit to anything.'

Organisers are now encouraging people to take part from home by joining neighbours in a doorstep candlelight vigil. The public are being asked to shine a light to remember Sarah and all the women affected by and lost to violence.

Reclaim These Streets tweeted earlier, 'This evening at 9:30pm we will be joining people around the country in a doorstep vigil, standing on our doorsteps and shining a light – a candle, a torch, a phone – to remember Sarah Everard and all women affected by and lost to violence.'

The organisers went on to say, 'We aren’t just lighting a candle for the women we’ve lost: we have been inspired by the women who have reached out and hope this is just the start of a movement that will light a fire for change. #ReclaimTheseStreets'

Can anyone join in the candlelight vigil? 

Yes, this doorstep event is open to men and women across the country, who want to show solidarity with Sarah and all women affected by violence. 

What about the original vigil that was due to take place today at Clapham Common?

Under police instruction, the event was cancelled, however many still gathered at the Clapham Common bandstand today to pay their respects, including the Duchess of Cambridge who attended the Clapham Common vigil for Sarah Everard unannounced. 

Reclaim These Streets tweeted on the matter, 'We continue to strongly encourage people not to attend any gatherings on Clapham Common this evening.

'Safety, both from Covid-19 and legal consequences, has always been our top priority for the women of South London.'

However, the leader of the Women’s Equality Party, Mandu Reid, wrote of the police decision not to allow the Clapham Common vigil to go ahead, 'Still trying to take this in.

'Real, compassionate leadership on this would’ve been to apply discretion and support rather than obstruct, stifle, and thwart women from grieving together at this painful moment of reckoning.'