Police Officer Was Removed From Investigation For 'Sharing Meme Joking About Sarah Everard's Death'

In one image, a cartoon Highway Code character holds up a hand and says "stop single girl."

He reportedly sent the meme to seven colleagues and it was eventually reported by officers "who were concerned by its content".

The graphic does not contain a photograph of Sarah, or any photographic images at all. It is also not thought to feature any material related to her death or the investigation he was involved with.

Sarah's family have been informed of the incident.

The matter has also been passed on to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will proceed to investigate the officer's conduct in full.

The police officer - who is now in a non-public facing role while enquiries continue - was stationed in woodland outside Ashford, Kent, where Sarah's remains were discovered. It was sent on March 11, just a day after Sarah Everard's body was found.

Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said: "The MPS expects its officers to behave professionally at all times and this includes how they use social media.

"I take allegations that any officer or officers have failed to observe these standards very seriously and have referred this matter to the IOPC."

It comes as serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, was recently charged with kidnapping and killing marketing executive Sarah, 33, when she was walking home from a friend's house in the early evening of March 3rd.

Her body was discovered in woodland in Ashford, Kent, a week later, and there has been a national outpouring of grief, heartbreak and anger ever since.

Tyla has contacted the Met Police for further comment.