In the greatest security operation in Scotland Yard’s near-200-year history, a ring of steel will surround Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s burial. There have been 34 arrests relating to the Queen’s death and memorial ceremonies in the previous week.
On Monday, at least 10,000 police officers will guard central London and the Queen’s 23-mile trip to Windsor Castle.
DAC’s Met Stuart Cundy, in charge of the operation in the city, said the force would employ ‘all tools and tactics available’ to secure the Queen’s coffin, the Royal Family, hundreds of VIPs and international leaders, and the 1million mourners anticipated in the man.
After the stabbing of two police officers in the West End this morning, DAC Cundy said that while it wasn’t related to terrorism or the Queen’s death, it reaffirmed that the Met must be prepared for a big incident like a terror attack, a crowd crush, or protesters interrupting the ceremony.
Who knows what the next few days will bring? If someone sees, hears, or suspects something suspicious, please tell one of the hundreds or thousands of cops so we can respond.
Armed rank-and-file officers and rooftop snipers will line the streets. Helicopters and CCTV enable commanders monitor from above.
The Met’s horse-mounted branch, dog teams, and maritime unit will be present. More than 22 kilometres of barricades will be used in central London to restrict crowds and secure vital places.
DAC Cundy cited practical considerations for not ruling out employing drones and facial recognition to monitor crowds. Major operations use drones, and London uses facial recognition software.
Police in central London are following what Scotland Yard says their greatest operation since the Queen’s death.
Mounted police will protect the public and royals.
On the burial day, police will patrol 22 kilometers of London highways.
Security spotters and top brass on Buckingham Palace
2,000 non-Met cops are protecting the capital.
Before entering Windsor Castle on Monday to see the Queen’s coffin, visitors will be searched and screened for weapons.
DAC Cundy stated none of the 34 arrests in London were protestors.
10,000 police officers were on duty per day during the 2012 London Olympics.
Stuart Cundy predicted that after the Queen’s death, mutual aid alone will require 20,000 officer shifts per week and 2,000 per day at peak.
As hundreds of VIPs are anticipated to attend Monday’s burial, it will be the force’s largest global protection operation.
At 6am, a female police officer and her colleague were attacked by a knifeman in London’s West End.
The cops were attacked while on patrol after reports of a man with a blade near Leicester Square at 6am today.
A female officer sustained a life-threatening knife wound to her arm, while another was stabbed three times in the neck and once in the chest, Scotland Yard said.
Arriving officers Tasered a 20-year-old north African man suspected of GBH and attacking an EMT. Hospitalized.
Detectives are investigating, but it’s not a terror event.
The man was stopped near Shaftesbury Avenue and Great Windmill Street.
this morning’s stabbing near London’s Leicester Square
Police at the West End this morning following a stabbing hours earlier
Horrifying footage from the site of the stabbing shows an officer lying against a wall while three others bandage his shoulder following the incident.
Footage from the situation shows a cop leaning against a wall while three others bandage his shoulder following the attack.
The ‘Shake Shack’ pub where the officers were attacked had a significant bloodstain.
A hotel worker told MailOnline: ‘Police took the knife from him and it dropped to the floor. He regained control and lashed out. Neither of them could stop him. They probably used a taser.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said police personnel from around the UK are eager to support the Queen’s funeral.
‘It’s a big policing effort,’ he told PA.
We add weekend resources for Monday. Every force in the country supports Met officers.
The number of deployed officers will soon exceed the size of a force like West Midlands or Greater Manchester, reaching the thousands.
‘And within that you’ve got the very visible officers lining routes and patrolling the crowds supported by any number of specialists, counterterrorism specialists, firearms officers, search officers – the whole range of skills that we have in the organization all dedicated to supporting this event and ensuring that it is safe, and trying to do it in an unobtrusive way as possible because this is a solemn occasion and we want to present that opportunity for everlasting peace.
Sir Mark continued, ‘The operation (this week) has gone brilliantly, and it’s nice to witness officers’ spirit.
Everyone I spoke to, whether they’re Met officers or from around the country, feels honoured to play a little part in Queen Elizabeth’s burial, and they’re savoring and proud of that opportunity.