Norfolk officer suspended from duty following WhatsApp communications involving Wayne Couzens and David Carrick during Sarah Everard investigation

A group of officers, including an individual from Norfolk police, are being investigated for gross misconduct following alleged misogynistic WhatsApp communications.

The chat group included Wayne Couzens, who has recently been handed a life sentence.

David Carrick, an officer from Stevenage will appear court on Monday after being accused of raping a woman he met on tinder.

Wayne Couzens raped and murdered Sarah Everard while working for the Met, after kidnapping her in a fake arrest.

Five serving officers and one former officer are under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for allegedly distributing messages between March and October 2019 which were discovered during Ms Everard's murder investigation.

One of them is part of the Norfolk police force.

A Norfolk Constabulary spokeswoman said: “We’re fully co-operating with the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) in the course of their investigation.

"We can confirm the officer has been suspended from duty while the allegations are under investigation. The IOPC are leading this investigation which is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

Metropolitan police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said in a statement to the public: "I recognise that a precious bond of trust has been damaged. Our dedication to the public remains undiminished.

"I know that what happened to Sarah and other women has raised important questions about women's safety, I want to keep working with others to ensure women's safety.

"There are no words that can express the fury and sadness that we all feel about what happened to Sarah. I am so sorry."

There was a vigil held in Lynn after Ms Everard's murder organised by Councillor Jo Rust.

Ms Rust also held a Reclaim These Streets march last Friday evening.