Hendon Town Hall was lit up orange as part of a London-wide memorial to Sarah Everard and to highlight the action being taken to tackle violence against women.

Barnet Council joined other London local authorities in the tribute on Wednesday evening, with the colour orange chosen in line the United Nations’ bid to eradicate violence against women.

Ms Everard went missing on March 3 while walking home after visiting a friend in south London.

Her body was found in woodland near Ashford in Kent a week later, and serving police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, from Deal, also in Kent, has been charged with her murder.

The death of Ms Everard has concentrated public and political attention on tackling violence against women and girls.

Cllr Roberto Weeden-Sanz, Chairman of the Barnet Safer Communities Partnership Board, said: “We stand for Sarah Everard and all the women who are victims of male violence. Her tragic murder has focused public attention on the unacceptable ever-present threat to the safety and wellbeing of women and girls.

“While Barnet has the second lowest rate of domestic abuse reports among all London boroughs we will continue to work tirelessly to make Barnet a safe home for every woman and girl who lives, works and studies here. Violence simply has no place in our community.

“The council and the local organisations it partners with will redouble our efforts to prevent violence, improve outcomes for victims and their children, and hold perpetrators to account. 

The council’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy sets out how the council is working with local organisations and the police to prevent violence against women, supporting those affected, and making streets safe for all women and girls.

The council’s steps aim at changing attitudes and behaviour that foster violence against women and girls, improving the environment to make it safer for women and girls, and by intervening earlier.