Thousands of protesters demonstrated against London police, after officers violently handled participants during an unofficial vigil for Sara Everard, a woman that disappeared while walking home and was found dead a week later.

The killing sent shock waves through the country as a Metropolitan Police officer was charged with her kidnapping and murder. 

People are still visiting her memorial in Clapham Common, where she was last seen alive.

The protesters briefly blocked traffic on nearby Westminster Bridge before gathering outside New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of London's Metropolitan Police, and moving on to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Downing Street office.

Holding signs reading "Educate your sons" and "End violence against women," protesters stood opposite a police line outside New Scotland Yard, chanting "Sisters united will never be defeated" and "Who protects us from you?"

Political focus has shifted onto London's Metropolitan Police after officers tried to disperse a vigil for Everard on Saturday, saying it breached COVID-19 lockdown rules. They scuffled with mourners and dragged women away in handcuffs.

Monday's protest proceeded for several hours without the same heavy-handed police tactics, following widespread criticism of Saturday's events and calls for the Met's chief to resign.

(With input from Reuters)