The Met Police's assistant commissioner has acknowledged the public are "hurt and angry" about the tragic murder of Sarah Everard.

Assistant commissioner Nick Ephgrave made the comments on Friday afternoon after he confirmed that remains found during a search of woodland in Kent had been positively identified as belonging to Sarah Everard.

Ms Everard, 33, had last been seen on March 3 in the Clapham area and police discovered human remains at a woodland site near Ashford in Kent on Wednesday.

Ephgrave said in his statement: “I know that the public feel hurt and angry about what has happened, and those are sentiments that I share personally, and I know my colleagues here at Scotland Yard and across the Met share as well.

Read more: Police confirm human remains found in Kent are those of Sarah Everard

“I also recognise the wider concerns that have been raised, quite rightly, about the safety of women in public spaces in London and also elsewhere in the country.

News Shopper:

“I want to say now that this organisation, and the men and women in it, remain committed to protecting Londoners wherever they are in this city.

“And that commitment is undiminished by these events and if anything that commitment is strengthened by these tragic circumstances.”

The primary suspect in the murder, a police officer, remains in custody as of Friday but has still not been charged.

Read more: Police investigating Sarah Everard case search underground tunnels in Dover

The arrested officer, who is in the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, was treated for a head injury sustained while in custody on Thursday. He was later discharged and returned to the police station where he is being held.

Assistant commissioner Ephgrave said his “thoughts and prayers, and those of the entire organisation” remain with Sarah Everard’s family “at this awful time”.

He added: “Specialist officers remain in constant contact with Sarah’s family, and will continue to support them throughout the investigation and beyond.

“That investigation continues at a pace and we have hundreds of officers working round the clock to establish the full circumstances of Sarah’s disappearance, and her murder.”