Sarah Everard should never have “submitted” to fake arrest and women “need to be streetwise” about the powers police have, a police commissioner has said.

North Yorkshire police commissioner Philip Allott was criticised for the comments he made while discussing the murder and rape of the 33-year-old marketing executive by Wayne Couzens, in which the former Metropolitan Police officer falsely arrested her in order to kidnap her.

Mr Allott has since said he would like to “wholeheartedly apologise” for his comments and said he wishes “to retract them in full”.

Earlier on Friday, Mr Allott told BBC Radio York: “So women, first of all, need to be streetwise about when they can be arrested and when they can’t be arrested. She should never have been arrested and submitted to that.

“Perhaps women need to consider in terms of the legal process, to just learn a bit about that legal process.”

It comes as a YouGov poll found 38% of adults in the UK think Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick should resign.

Of those, 44% of men surveyed thought she should resign compared to 32% of women.

Sarah Everard murder: Commissioner Cressida Dick appears to have the backing she needs despite a grim day for the Met Police

Sarah Everard murder: Shout out to a passer-by or wave a bus down – Met issues guidance to those concerned by lone officers

Wayne Couzens may have committed more crimes, including one just days before he killed Sarah Everard

Dame Cressida has faced several calls to resign over Ms Everard’s case, which has reignited public debate around the safety of women.

Mr Allott’s remarks were lambasted by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said: “These comments are appalling.

“It’s not up to women to fix this. It’s not us who need to change.

“The problem is male violence, not women’s ‘failure’ to find ever more inventive ways to protect ourselves against it. For change to happen, this needs to be accepted by everyone.”

These comments are appalling. It’s not up to women to fix this. It’s not us who need to change. The problem is male violence, not women’s ‘failure’ to find ever more inventive ways to protect ourselves against it. For change to happen, this needs to be accepted by everyone. https://t.co/8oC2c5U9Pj

The @EverydaySexism Twitter account said: “Just when you think the absurdity of victim blaming could not possibly go any further, here is a Police Commissioner openly blaming Sarah Everard for what happened to her on BBC radio.”

After the backlash, Mr Allott tweeted: “I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.”

It comes after the Metropolitan Police suggested women should wave down a bus or get the attention of passers-by if they are stopped by a police officer they do not trust.

The force made several suggestions about what people could do if they are approached by an officer but have concerns about their legitimacy.

It suggested people should ask where the officer’s colleagues are, where they have come from, why they are there and exactly why they are stopping or talking to them.

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