Kate Middleton ‘saddened by death of another young woman on our streets’
The Duchess of Cambridge has paid her respects to 28-year-old teacher Sabina Nessa.
Kate Middleton has tweeted her support for the family of murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa.
In a post this evening, the Duchess of Cambridge said: ‘I am saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman on our streets.
‘My thoughts are with Sabina’s family and friends, and all those who have been affected by this tragic event. C’
The primary school teacher’s family have made an impassioned plea for women to ‘keep safe’ as hundreds prepared to pay their respects at a vigil on Friday.
Sabina’s death has reignited outcry over the safety of women on London’s streets, following the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard in March.
Kate attended a memorial to the 33-year-old marketing executive in Clapham Common, before a vigil for her descended into chaotic and violent scenes.
Police were accused of being heavy handed and overly aggressive with attendees, although a government review later cleared the Metropolitan Police.
Friends say Sabina, 28, was on her way to a date at a pub when she was attacked shortly after 8.30pm last Friday, just minutes after leaving her front door.
The walk from her home in Greenwich, southeast London, to The Depot bar in Pegler Square should have taken her just five minutes.
Her body wasn’t discovered until 5.30pm the following afternoon when a dog walker found her buried under a pile of leaves in nearby Cator Park.
Yesterday afternoon a 38-year-old man was arrested in Lewisham, southeast London, but police are still searching for a second person.
The Met Police has released CCTV of the other man they are looking for and have appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: ‘Anybody out there who may know who he is, or if you’ve seen that footage, and you have any information, no matter how small, please do get in touch.
‘This is an incredibly shocking and tragic incident. We’re working incredibly hard to secure justice for Sabina’s family who are at the forefront of our mind at the moment.’
Earlier this week Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry insisted that the streets of London were safe for women, but not everyone is convinced.
Campaign group Our Streets Now said: ‘It’s why we don’t walk where we want, when we want.
‘It’s why we tense at the sound of a car pulling up, or of a man crossing the street towards us.
‘It’s why one in five girls have avoided their place of education. Please, stop telling us we’re overreacting.
‘Sabina Nessa, Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman. And these are just the names that we remember.
‘Male violence is killing us. It’s restricting our right to be free and equal citizens. We need change, now.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.