The search of woodland where Sarah Everard's body was found inside a large builder's bag has come to an end.

Officers cordoned off part of Hoads Wood near Ashford last Wednesday and found the 33-year-old's body at about 4.20pm.

They set up an operation base on the adjacent Great Chart Golf and Leisure facility and continued to painstakingly comb part of the 200-acre woodland off Fridd Lane this week, but have now left the area.

The secluded site at the centre of the search was next to a small bridge over the Ashford to Charing Cross railway line and had become a fly-tipping hotspot in recent months, particularly during lockdown.

A blue tarpaulin has now been laid across most of the dumped rubbish, with part of a tree trunk blocking a private track leading into the woods.

Over recent days, more tributes have been left in Bears Lane at the entrance to the former leisure site, including cuddly toys, flowers and cards.

In a statement earlier this week, the Metropolitan Police thanked the owner of the abandoned complex for "generously allowing police to use his land as a rendezvous point while operational activity was ongoing".

The spokesman added there "was no suggestion of any criminal activity linked to the golf course/complex".

In Ashford town centre – about four miles from the search site – a sign reading 'make Ashford a safe place for women' has appeared in the high street.

Flowers and hand-painted stones have been placed below it, with one tribute stating 'this stone is for all women who have ever felt unsafe walking home'.

Yesterday, KentOnline revealed how CCTV has been put up outside the home of Wayne Couzens - the Metropolitan Police officer accused of kidnapping and murdering Ms Everard - amid fears of vigilante attacks.

Dover District Council says the measure in Freemen’s Way, Deal, is to protect the community.

Couzens was arrested at the property last Tuesday in connection with the disappearance of Ms Everard, who was formally identified using dental records.

He appeared at the Old Bailey this week and is due to enter a plea in July. The 48-year-old will stand trial in October.

As well the Great Chart operation, officers had been working in Dover and Sandwich in recent days, but the searches have now come to an end.

In Sandwich, a second book of condolences for Ms Everard has now had more than 120 entries.

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