Huge weekend of policing for Met

The Metropolitan Police have issued a statement of thanks following the King's coronation.

Over the weekend, thousands of people travelled to London to watch the coronation and take part in events. 11,500 officers worked on Saturday, supported by colleagues from across the UK, and overseas, and the work of many agencies and partners.

Commander Karen Findlay, who lead the operation, said: "This has been a magnificent team effort and everyone in the Met is hugely proud to have played our role.

"Our first priority has been to ensure that the tens of thousands who travelled into London today, and millions more around the world, were able to enjoy a safe, secure and dignified Coronation.

"Our heartfelt thanks goes to everyone. I know our colleagues take great satisfaction from the warm comments from the public they have met.”

The force was criticised over some of the arrests they made over the weekend, including of Republican protesters, before their protest had begun and of people handing out rape alarms.

Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy group Republic, was arrested and released without charge by the Metropolitan Police. Whilst speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said he will take legal action against the force.

Three people were stopped by officers and arrested in the Soho area on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance and items seized included rape alarms. The Met said that intelligence was received that indicated groups and individuals were seeking to disrupt coronation proceedings were planning to use rape alarms to disrupt the procession.

On this topic, deputy assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “The intelligence we received led us to be extremely worried about the potential risk to public safety. We are aware of and understand there is public concern over these arrests. However, the matter is still under investigation.”

On Saturday, Commander Findlay said: "We absolutely understand public concern following the arrests we made this morning.

"Protest is lawful and it can be disruptive. We have policed numerous protests without intervention in the build-up to the Coronation, and during it.

"Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner in line with relevant legislation. We also have a duty to intervene when protest becomes criminal and may cause serious disruption.

“This depends on the context. The Coronation is a once in a generation event and that is a key consideration in our assessment.

“A protest involving large numbers has gone ahead today with police knowledge and no intervention.”

64 arrests were made on Saturday and four people have been charged. 52 of the arrests related to concerns people were going to disrupt the event.

One person was charged with possession of class A drugs and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 9 May. Another was charged with possession of class A drugs and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 26 May. One person was also charged under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 26 May.

32 people were arrested for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance and have been bailed.

14 people were arrested for a breach of the peace and have been bailed.

One person was arrested for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance and possession of noxious spray and has since been bailed.

Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay