A British police officer was remanded in custody when he appeared in court on Tuesday charged with the kidnap and murder of a woman who vanished as she walked home.

The disappearance of Sarah Everard sparked outrage and a national debate on women's safety in public places, prompting the government to promise enhanced police patrols at night and funding to make the streets safer.

London police are also under pressure after they broke up a vigil for Everard on Saturday, with widely shared footage showing mostly male officers struggling with and restraining female protesters.

Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared via videolink in London's Old Bailey court to face charges of kidnap and murder of Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive who went missing in south London on March 3.

Couzens, who serves with the diplomatic protection unit of London's police force, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

A plea hearing is due to be held on July 9 and a provisional trial date has been set for October 25.

Everard had been visiting friends in the Clapham area of south London and was returning to her home in nearby Brixton.

Her body was discovered a week later in woods in the southeastern county of Kent, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) away. An official cause of death has not yet been given.

phz/jxb