ARGUS readers have spoken out on whether or not they feel safe on the streets in the UK following the sentencing of Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard.
Couzens was sentenced to whole-life imprisonment for the horrendous crimes he committed, meaning that he will die in jail.
Argus readers were asked on social media if they felt safer following the sentence - but the majority said that they did not.
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Jodie Jones said: "Never felt safe anyway.
"No woman I know does either."
Lucy Amour commented: "No. Violence against women is sadly endemic.
"Tough sentencing is only a tiny part of challenging it.
"Women are still as much at risk today as they were yesterday."
However, some readers disagree, saying that they have never felt generally unsafe.
Kimberley Martin said: "I've never felt unsafe.
"I'm not going to live my life worrying I'm going to be jumped on at every corner."
Couzens' role as a police officer was central to how he carried out his crimes, as he abducted Ms Everard under the guise of arresting her for breaching lockdown rules.
He was reportedly nicknamed 'the rapist' by other Met officers and there are serious questions as to how he was not identified as a danger to the public.
Some were alarmed by this fact and said they had been left unsure of how to know they can trust serving police officers in certain situations.
A Facebook profile with the name Jessica JE said: "He still did what he did.
"A sentence doesn't change that and certainly won't make anybody feel 'safer'.
"Law enforcement is what SHOULD make us feel safe. We should be able to approach without question....
"This just enhances doubt and insecurities alot of the time.
"(Before any Karen's jump on, I'm not tarring all with the same brush...). I'm just saying, so many 'professionals' abuse their positions."
Lyn Barnett said: "We face another problem now ... what will women do if a police officer stops them now .. if we go it could end like this poor lady if we refuse then could be charged, fined or [imprisoned]."
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The Met Police has given advice for women if they feel unsafe near an officer, including verifying the officer's identity.
A spokeswoman said: "If after all of that you feel in real and imminent danger and you do not believe the officer is who they say they are, for whatever reason, then I would say you must seek assistance – shouting out to a passer-by, running into a house, knocking on a door, waving a bus down or if you are in the position to do so calling 999.”
The comments received a backlash on social media with people criticising the police for not making people feel safe and for giving impractical advice.
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