A socially distanced ‘Reclaim the Night’ vigil and protest will be held this evening in Aberystwyth, following the death of Sarah Everard.

The Reclaim the Night vigil and protest will be held on South Beach at 5.30pm tonight (19 March), “to honour and remember those who have been victims of violence against women and to protest the misogyny and culture of violence that is so prevalent in our country that women do not feel safe to walk the streets at night”.

Organisers have asked attendees to sit on the beach to allow for social distancing.

“It is absolutely imperative that social distancing is maintained and masks are to be worn at all times.

“We can only do this if we act responsibly, and take all the precautionary measures necessary to keep those around us safe. Please do not attend if you or anybody you have been in contact with has displayed any symptoms of Covid-19 within the past 10 days.”

The Reclaim the Night movement, which began in the 1970s, was reignited after across the UK after the murder of Sarah Everard.

On 3 March, Everard went missing after leaving a friend’s house near Clapham Common, in London, to walk home to the Brixton Hill area.

On 9 March, a Metropolitan Police Officer, with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection unit, Wayne Couzens was arrested, first on suspicion of Everard’s kidnapping and later on suspicion of murder.

Her remains were discovered on 10 March and Couzens was charged with kidnapping and murder two days later.

A plea and trial preparation hearing has been set for the Old Bailey on 9 July, at which Couzens will be asked to give a plea to the offences of kidnap and murder.

On 13 March, a vigil was held for Everard on Clapham Common and four were arrested for breaches of Covid-19 regulations. The controversial police response has been criticised by many since.

The Reclaim the Night movement first began in 1977 when women in Leeds “took to the streets to protest the police requesting women to stay at home after dark in response to the murders of 13 women by the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe”.

The movement saw a resurgence in 2004 and pledged to “keep marching until women can walk the streets at night without the threat of sexual violence”.Dyfed Powys Police said they were aware of this evening's vigil and encouraged people not to attend.A spokesperson for the force said: "We are aware of a small vigil planned in Aberystwyth this evening in memory of Sarah Everard.Officers will monitor the gathering."We would encourage people not to attend gatherings such as this, which could put public health at risk, and ask them consider other ways that you can support the cause."But if you must attend, then please stay safe, observe social distancing and make any protest peaceful."