The Metropolitan police is to face an inquiry into whether it properly investigated a claim of indecent exposure involving the suspect in the alleged murder of Sarah Everard, just days before the marketing executive disappeared. PC Wayne Couzens has been arrested on suspicion of the kidnap and murder of Everard. He has also been arrested on suspicion of an indecent exposure involving another woman, and this is the incident that will be investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The alleged indecent exposure happened on 28 February, at a fast food restaurant in south London. Everard disappeared after leaving a friend’s house in the south of the capital at about 9pm on 3 March and beginning a 50-minute walk home. The IOPC said in a statement: “The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has started an independent investigation into whether Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers responded appropriately to a report of indecent exposure. “The IOPC’s investigation follows a conduct referral from the MPS in relation to two officers, received last night, which is linked to four other referrals. They are all connected to the arrest of a serving MPS officer on suspicion of kidnap, murder and a separate allegation of indecent exposure. “Our investigation will look at the actions of the MPS after police received a report on 28 February (2021) that a man had exposed himself at a fast food restaurant in south London.” The IOPC will investigate the claims about the indecent exposure allegation independently. The Met, Britain’s biggest police force, was stunned by the news that the suspect was one of their own serving officers. The inquiry into Everard’s disappearance was continuing on Thursday night, with searches continuing in Ashford, Kent at a site where police believe they have found human remains, which are yet to be formally identified. Sarah’s family on Thursday spoke of their pain and painted a vivid picture of the joy she had brought to their lives. In a statement, they described the marketing executive as a “bright and beautiful” woman. They described her as a “wonderful daughter and sister”, adding: “She was kind and thoughtful, caring and dependable. She always put others first and had the most amazing sense of humour.” They added: “She was strong and principled and a shining example to us all. We are very proud of her and she brought so much joy to our lives. “We would like to thank our friends and family for all their support during this awful time and we would especially like to thank Sarah’s friends who are working tirelessly to help.” The statement, which was issued before the one from the police watchdog, added: “We are so grateful to the police and would like to thank them for all they are doing. We are now pleading for additional help from the public. Please come forward and speak to the police if you have any information. No piece of information is too insignificant. Thank you.” It is understood the detectives believe whoever took Everard came across her at random, and did not know her previously. Couzens, who served in the parliamentary and diplomatic protection unit, remains in custody at a London police station after an application to extend his detention was granted at Wimbledon magistrates court, Scotland Yard said. He was initially arrested at his home in Deal, in Kent, on Tuesday on suspicion of kidnapping Everard, while a woman in her 30s was held on suspicion of assisting an offender. She has been released on bail to return to a police station on a date in mid-April. On Wednesday evening, the Met commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick, said the human remains, which have not yet been formally identified, had been found in an area of woodland about 20 miles west of Couzens’ home and the suspect was further arrested on suspicion of murder. On Thursday, it emerged Couzens had been taken to hospital after suffering head injuries while in police custody. Scotland Yard said he was discharged back to his cell but refused to release any further details. The Met has referred the incident to the IOPC which says it will “determine what further action may be required”. A vigil titled Reclaim These Streets is due to take place on Clapham Common on Saturday, near where Everard was last seen as she made her way home to Brixton and many people have shared stories of the measures they feel forced to take when walking Britain’s streets. However, on Thursday night organisers claimed that they had been threatened with fines and prosecutions if the vigil went ahead. In statement, Reclaim These Streets said: “The Metropolitan Police … stated that the vigil would be unlawful, that their ‘hands are tied’ by the Covid-19 regulations and that, as organisers, we could face tens of thousands of pounds in fixed penalty notices and criminal prosecution under the Serious Crimes Act.” They added: “We have decided to seek an urgent order from the high court confirming that the Metropolitan Police’s understanding of the law is wrong.” Organisers raised around £30,000 in a matter of hours to cover legal fees. The Met said it “remained in discussions with organisers”. The prime minister, Boris Johnson, said he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the disappearance of Everard, adding: “We must work fast to find all the answers to this horrifying crime.” And the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, acknowledged that the capital’s streets are not safe for women or girls, telling LBC: “It’s really important that people of my gender understand that. “If you’re a woman or a girl, your experiences of our city, in any public space, whether it’s in the workplace on the streets, on public transport is very different to if you are a man or a boy, and it’s really important that people like me in positions of power and influence understand that and take steps to address that.”