On 22 November 2021, Lady Elish Angiolini KC was commissioned by then Home Secretary, Priti Patel, to conduct an independent inquiry as to how off-duty Metropolitan Police officer, Wayne Couzens, had the ability to kidnap, rape, and murder Sarah Everard, a member of the public. The inquiry aimed to provide a full explanation as to the causes and factors contributing to her murder, and improve recognition of potential sexual and murderous predators to improve the safety of women in public spaces.
The inquiry has been expanded multiple times to consider wider policing standards and culture in relation to sexually motivated violence against women, as well as to establish the circumstances surrounding the behaviour and conduct of former Metropolitan Police officer and serial rapist David Carrick.
Background
On the evening of 3 March 2021, 33-year-old Sarah Everard was kidnapped in South London, England by off-duty Metropolitan Police constable Wayne Couzens. Couzens identified himself as a police officer, handcuffing Everard, and placing her in his car, before driving her to a location near Dover where he raped and strangled her, before burning her body and disposing of her remains in a nearby pond.
Inquiry
Setting up of the Inquiry Following Couzens' sentence to a whole life order on 30 September 2021, on 22 November 2021, Patel announced to Parliament that an independent inquiry was being launched under the management of Lady Angiolini. Patel stated that the inquiry would be over two parts, with the first establishing how Couzens "was able to serve as a police officer for so long and seek to establish definitive account of his conduct", as well as seeking to understanding "the extent to which his behaviour rang alarm bells with his colleagues."
With the Angiolini Inquiry being designated as a non-statutory inquiry, it meant Everard's family could be given "closure as quickly as possible", with a statutory inquiry's recommendations not being made for a "number of years". Despite this, the inquiry has experienced a number of delays due to ongoing legal and misconduct proceedings.
The inquiry interviewed 144 witnesses, which included current and former police officers and staff, as well as other relevant organisations and members of the public.
Part 1 On 10 January 2022, the terms of reference for Part 1 of the inquiry were set as to 'establish a comprehensive account of the career and overall conduct of the killer of Sarah Everard, to identify any missed opportunities, and to make recommendations based on the findings.'
Patel asked Angiolini to conclude the first part of the inquiry within nine months from when the terms of reference were set. Whilst work started immediately, there were some delays, due to Couzens, at that time, facing ongoing legal and misconduct proceedings, limiting some aspects of the inquiry proceeding.
The aim of the first part of the inquiry was to 'establish a definitive account of the career and conduct' of Couzens. The report also looked at the years before the incident, establishing a timeline ending at the point where he kidnapped, raped and murdered Everard.
On 29 February 2024, the first part of the Angiolini Inquiry was published. Home Secretary James Cleverly made a statement in the House of Commons in response to the report's publication.
Timeline of career MonthYearEventOrganisationDecember2006Joins Kent Police as a Special Constable (SC)Kent PoliceMay2008Submits application to join Kent Police as a regular officer. Application fails at financial vetting stage (having entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement in February 2007, due to financial difficulties)Applies and is interviewed for promotion to the equivalent rank of sergeant in the Special Constabulary (known as 'section officer'). Successful at interview and is promotedOctober2009Submits application to join the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. Passes the recruitment vetting checks and the fitness test (on the second attempt)September2010Resigns from Kent Police Special ConstabularyMarch2011Appointed to full-time role as a Police Constable (PC) with the Civil Nuclear ConstabularyCivil Nuclear ConstabularyJuneGranted National Security Vetting clearance at the level of Developed VettingJulyPosted as an authorised firearms officer (AFO) at Sellafield, CumbriaEarly (unknown month)2012Applies for and is granted voluntary transfer to Dungeness, KentMarch2013Successfully completes two-year probationUnknownStudies for sergeant's exam, intending to take this in 2014UnknownApplies to join Kent Police, with his application rejected at the shortlisting stageJanuary2014Applies to and is successful in joining the Strategic Escort GroupJulyDeployed to the Strategic Escort Group, where he later claims to several people he has been deployed overseas, with this being a lieMid (unknown month)2016Looks for opportunities to move on from the Civil Nuclear ConstabularySeptemberReturns to substantive post at Dungeness, KentJuneStarts another application to join Kent Police, but doesn't submit thisFebruary2017Submits another application to join Kent Police, but withdraws this a few months laterMay2018Applies to join the Metropolitan Police. He later tells them he would "prefer not to transfer" as an AFO, wanting to be considered for frontline policing on response or to qualify as a detectiveSeptemberCouzens leaves the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, with his application to join the Metropolitan Police being successfulAssigned to Bromley Basic Command Unit, where his vetting level, since downgraded, is transferred acrossMetropolitan PoliceNovemberHaving almost finished a course for rejoiners and transferees, he is told he would need to undergo a full 18-week foundation course for new recruits as well as a two-year probationary period February2019Having completed training, he is deployed to Bromley Emergency Response on Team BLate FebruarySubmits application to transfer to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command. His first application is unsuccessful JuneSubmits a further application to transfer to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, where he passes an interview, risk assessment process and training coursesFebruary2020Posted to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command at Lillie Road BaseMarchHaving only been in his role with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command for a month, he submits an application to rejoin the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. Despite reaching and passing the interview stage, he withdraws his applicationJulyHaving been with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command for approximately five months, he is signed off work for three weeks, due to sustaining an injury to his left index finger. He told the Metropolitan Police this was from an accident from a drill whilst completing DIY (it would later emerge this was a purposeful action to self-harm)AugustHe is assessed and deemed fit for 'recuperative duties', consisting of office-based work, mainly from home, in the Counter Terrorism Protect and Prepare UnitMid October to late NovemberReceives virtual physiotherapy from the Police Rehabilitation CentreDecemberDischarged from Occupational Health having passed a medical functionality testJanuary2021Passes the job-related fitness test on the second attemptFebruaryCompletes necessary firearms and TASER re-training. During requalifying, he works with officers on COVID-19 patrols, enforcing the Regulations in force at the timeMid-FebruaryFirearms authority is reinstated and he resumes duties as an AFO based at Lillie Road2 MarchCompletes what will be his last shift with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, posted to guard a protected site16 JulyDismissed without notice for gross misconduct after admitting the kidnap and murder of Everard
Timeline of Couzens' offending MonthYearOffence (potential related legislation)DetailsCharge/SentenceUnspecified date(s)Between 1992 and 1997Unlawful Sexual intercourse (Sexual Offences Act 1956)Couzens allegedly sexually assaulted a child. This may have been in relation to his alleged relationship with a 14-year-old when he was 23-years-old (the Angiolini Inquiry mentions that 'due to her being too young to consent, any sexual activity with the victim would have been a crime. The alleged sexual assault was, and remains today, serious sexual offending whether compared with the Sexual Offences Act 1956 in force at the time or the law that applies today'). The allegation wasn't reported at the time.Not subject to a police investigationUnspecified date(s)1995Unspecified motoring offenceIn his early twenties, Couzens declared on application forms he had been found guilty of a driving offence in 1995.Guilty. Sentence unknownAttempted Kidnapping (Criminal Attempts Act 1981)A woman reported an unidentified man had attempted to kidnap her at knifepoint in North London. Following his arrest for the offences related to Everard, the woman contacted the police, stating she recognised him from photos in the media as the man who had attempted to kidnap her. Couzens was arrested and questioned in relation to this offence in March 2022.No further action due to "evidential difficulties"Early Spring2003UnknownWhilst in the Territorial Army, a woman alleged that he acted in an 'intimidating manner' towards her during an event. This included him blocking her path and demanding her for her telephone number. She didn't report this to police at the time, however, identified Couzens after his photo was published following his arrest. She stated how Couzens was "intimidating", making her feel "deeply uncomfortable." She didn't wish to provide a statement to make a complaint.No further action due to victim not making a complaintUnspecified date(s)2004Possession of extreme pornography (Obscene Publications Act 1857 (the offence occurred before the more modern legislation regarding extreme pornography within Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008))Whilst socialising with a group of reservists, Couzens is alleged to have shown pornographic videos, showing violent and extreme sex acts, including bestiality. On his arrest for the offences in connection with Everard, this was reported to the Metropolitan Police, whereby Couzens was arrested in relation to possession the extreme pornography in March 2022.No further action due to "evidential difficulties"SummerIndecent exposure (s66 Sexual Offences Act 2003)Whilst in South London, Couzens allegedly exposed himself to a teenage girl, masturbating whilst driving. She did not report this at the time, but later recognised Couzens in media related to his involvement in Everard's kidnap, rape and murder, reporting this to the Metropolitan Police in late 2021. Couzens was arrested and interviewed in relation to the allegation in March 2022.No further action due to insufficient evidenceLate 2006 to early 2007Attempted rape (Criminal Attempts Act 1981)During an event in London, it was alleged that Couzens attempted to rape a woman. She did not report this at the time, but contacted the Metropolitan Police after believing she recognised him as the suspect from images of him in the media in relation to his involvement in Everard's case and he was arrested and interviewed in relation to the allegation in March 2022.July2007Theft (s1 Theft Act 1968)Having left the Territorial Army, Couzens failed to return equipment and uniform, being charged £526 as a result. Couzens did not pay the charge or return the equipment and uniform.No criminal investigation launchedBetween May 2008 and September 2010Sexual harassment