Lone patrols by plain-clothes officers will stop, Met Police announce in light of the methods used to abduct Sarah Everard

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The Metropolitan Police said last night that there would be no more patrols by lone plain-clothed officers in light of the methods used by Wayne Couzens to abduct Sarah Everard.

Sir Stephen House, the Met's deputy commissioner, added that warrant cards may not be enough for officers to prove their identity in future.

The force also announced that 650 new officers will be deployed in public places to better protect women and girls in the wake of Miss Everard's murder.

After stinging criticism over its handling of the case, the force vowed to increase patrols and publish a new strategy for tackling violence against women.

The strategy will outline how the Met will prioritise action against sexual and violent predatory offenders.

The force said it had also set up 'predatory offender units', which have arrested more than 2,000 suspects for domestic abuse, sex offences, and child abuse since November.

The Met Police also announced that 650 new officers will be deployed in public places to better protect women and girls in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder (Pictured: Ms Everard) 

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The 650 new officers will be sent into busy public places, including areas where women and girls 'lack confidence that they are safe', the Met said. 

The force will 'step up' patrols and provide an increased police presence in areas identified as hotspot locations for violence and harassment.

A Met Police spokesman said: 'The full horrific details of [Wayne Couzens'] crimes are deeply concerning and raise entirely legitimate questions. 

'This is the most horrific of crimes, but we recognise this is part of a much bigger and troubling picture.'

The spokesman said other recent murders 'bring into sharp focus our urgent duty to do more to protect women and girls'.