The biggest security operation was carried out by the British police during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
LONDON – The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be the biggest ever security operation for British police. State leaders, royal royals and other invited guests will attend the Queen’s funeral on Monday, 19 September.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of London for the Queen’s funeral. It commemorates other important events in British history, including the Queen’s coronation in 1953, the funeral of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965, and the death of Princess Diana in 1997.
Stuart Kandi, deputy assistant commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police, said police forces were preparing for events ranging from threats of terrorism to mass protests and riots. He said that the police would deploy a large number of officers on the streets of the city.
In addition, the police will conduct the largest security operation for world leaders and royalty in nearly 200 years of policing history. Security officers have been deployed to almost every unit or units in the UK. Specialist officers on duty include divers, dog handlers, mounted police, motorcyclists, firearms officers and close security officers, who will look after leaders and members of the Royal Family from around the world.
US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the most high-profile foreign guests who have confirmed their presence. Kandi said a massive police operation during the Queen’s funeral would affect police security at other major London events, including the 2012 Olympics and platinum jubilee celebrations, which marked Elizabeth’s 70th year on the British throne in June .
Kandi provides an overview of the scale of the operation. He said police had put up a 22-mile or 36-kilometer barrier in central London to help control the crowd.
Kandi said, “Nothing compares to our police operation this week, and especially for a state funeral on Monday. It’s the biggest security operation ever.” ,
London Police have so far made 34 arrests leading up to the funeral, but none of them are related to the protests. There has been criticism that the police in Scotland are too harsh in dealing with anti-monarchy voices.
“People have a right to protest. Our response will be proportionate, balanced, and our officers will only act when absolutely necessary,” Kandi said.
Tim de Meyer, Assistant Chief of Police for Thames Valley Police, will be in charge of police operations in Windsor. Kandi said the public would face security checks like at the airport.
“Our contingency plan takes into account a wide variety of different scenarios, covering a range of aspects from terrorist attacks to criminal activity to large-scale spikes and destruction,” Kandi said.
On Friday (16/9/2022) two police officers were stabbed at a funeral, or a terrorism-related incident, in central London. Kandi said the incident was very much in focus. All officers in the field and members of the community are expected to work closely to maintain vigil.
