Security operation surrounding The Queen’s funeral ‘biggest the UK has ever seen’

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said “nothing can compare” to the “hugely complex” task, describing it as the “largest policing operation” in the MPS’s history. Monday signals the “final and most complex phase” of the operation after the death of the monarch, he said.

The scale surpasses the operation for the Platinum Jubilee weekend and the London 2012 Olympics, which saw up to 10,000 police officers on duty a day.

It is also the largest global protection operation dealt with by the force, with world leaders, dignitaries and other VIPs attending the State Funeral.

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, “died peacefully” at Balmoral, aged 96, on Thursday, September 8, after reigning for 70 years.

The MPS said following the announcement it had initiated “well-rehearsed policing plans across the capital” alongside British Transport Police (BTP) and City of London Police to keep all those who are visiting London and attending events safe.

Mr Cundy said in mutual aid alone there will be 20,000 officer shifts throughout the week and 2,000 officers in a single day at the peak.

Specialist teams involved in the operation include motorbike escort riders, mounted branch, firearms officers, dog teams and the marine unit.

The force has used more than 22 miles of barriers in central London alone to control crowds and keep key areas secure.

It will also be the largest global protection operation that the force has dealt with, as hundreds of VIPs are expected to attend the State Funeral on Monday.

Mr Cundy told journalists on Friday (Sepember 16) that the massive policing operation is the biggest in the force’s history, surpassing the 2012 Olympics.

He said: “This will be the largest single policing event that the Met Police has ever undertaken.

“The range of officers, police staff and all those supporting the operation is truly immense.”

MPS Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said police officers from around the country are “relishing the opportunity” to help support the Queen’s funeral.

“It [the Queen’s funeral] is an enormous policing operation,” he told the PA news agency.

“We now build in the resources over the weekend towards Monday. We’ve got Metropolitan Police officers supported by pretty much every force across the country.

“The number of officers deployed is heading to a point where it will be well beyond the total size of a force like West Midlands or Greater Manchester – it will be heading into the high numbers of thousands of officers deployed.

“And within that you’ve got the very visible officers lining routes and patrolling the crowds supported by any number of specialists, counter-terrorism specialists, firearms officers, search officers – the whole range of skills that we have in the organisation 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 obviously a solemn occasion and we want to present that opportunity for everyone to reflect and mourn as is proper on Monday.”

Sir Mark, who has visited officers in the MPS’s Special Operations Room who are coordinating the “complex policing operation” for the procession to Westminster Hall for the Queen’s Lying-in-State, added: “The operation [this week] has been going fantastically well, and it’s great to see the spirit of officers.

“I think the sense in all the officers I speak to – whether they’re Met officers or from around the country – is that everyone feels just immensely privileged to be able to take this opportunity to play a small part in supporting the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and actually they’re really relishing and proud of that opportunity.”

Mr Cundy said the “welcome addition” of hundreds of police officers from other forces has enabled it to continue a highly visibly policing presence in central London as well as maintaining neighbourhood policing and response in other London boroughs.

He said 34 people have been arrested so far as part of the policing operation in the lead-up to the Queen’s funeral.

Mr Cundy said the number recorded by Friday morning was  “relatively few”, and said none were for protesting.

He added: “We are expecting large crowds as so many will come to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen. Police officers will be in the areas where people are queuing to ensure they are safe.

“We know there are some people who want to protest on a range of issues even at this time of national mourning. People have a right to freedom of expression and we must balance the rights of protesters with those of others who wish to grieve and reflect.

“Police officers and the overall policing operation exists to keep people safe; as part of that work, police officers will approach and speak to people – please don’t be alarmed. They may also ask people to move if they are blocking access. I encourage everyone to display patience and communicate with each other.

“To those attending, be vigilant, and if you see or hear anything that doesn’t feel right, report it.”

It is understood more than 1,000 volunteers, stewards, marshals and police officers will be on hand at any one time with tens of thousands of mourners expected to queue for several hours, including overnight, to pay their respects during The Queen’s ‘Lying-in-State’.

The Lying-in-State will be open to the public 24 hours a day until it closes at 6.30am on Monday .

The MPS said the public will see additional officers posted outside key locations, including transport hubs, Royal Parks and outside Royal residences in London, adding: “We will be keeping people safe with highly visible patrols across London.”

It said road closures are being established at a number of locations in Westminster, adding: “Although we recognise these road closures may cause some inconvenience, they are necessary to ensure the safety of those members of public visiting London and to allow the planned ceremonial events to take place.”

The MPS said it is working closely with Westminster City Council and Transport for London to minimise any disruption to residents and businesses.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said “officers are ready to play their part to ensure the safety of the public and support this momentous occasion”.

A spokesperson said: “As part of the national policing operation supporting the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen, police forces have significant plans in place to ensure daily policing is in place alongside national events.

“Police forces will be maintaining normal service to communities. Forces most affected by Operation London Bridge have longstanding plans in place to anticipate and manage the level of demand.

“Mutual aid is routinely used to share officers across the country to make sure we can meet demand. Forces will always consider options to increase their resilience, for example cancelling rest days or annual leave and moving to 12-hour shifts before asking for Mutual Aid.

“We are working closely with other emergency services and organisations to make sure that as many planned events as possible can go ahead safely.

“We know that during these times, we ask exceptional things of police officers. Many will be away from their families and their homes, but officers are ready to play their part, ensure the safety of the public and support this momentous occasion.”

Mr Cundy added: “I wish to pass my deepest sympathies to the entire Royal Family at this extremely sad time.

“This will be an extremely poignant moment for the nation, and I know people will want to pay respects and celebrate The Queen’s dedication to public service.

“Our role is to ensure this is going to be a safe and a secure set of events.

“Our policing operation is hugely complex, with a huge amount of detail within it, as you can well imagine.

“So we’re always mindful of all manner of different potential things that might occur. We know that not just the eyes of the United Kingdom but the world will be on London at this point in time.”

Ken Marsh, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said officers in the force “to a man and woman” had affection for the Queen and there had been no “gripes or groans” about the efforts expected from them this upcoming week and for her funeral.

Mr Marsh said the biggest-ever policing operation undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Service “will be challenging, but the plan is very good; it’s been in place for a long time”.

BTP said it will be deploying more police officers across main railway stations and routes as the nation prepares for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

As increased numbers of people travel to pay tribute, officers will be carrying out increased security operations, using high visibility and plain clothed officers, to support and ensure the safety of everyone using the rail network.

BTP Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan said: “We know it’s very important that people are able to travel in the coming days, as many seek to pay their respects and celebrate Her Majesty and her dedication to public service.

“We expect the rail network to become increasingly busy, especially at main transport hubs in London. People can expect to see a marked increase in highly visible patrols, with more officers on hand to support those travelling and to deter any criminality.

“This is part of a comprehensive policing plan between BTP, the Metropolitan Police and City of London police.

“We ask anyone visiting London to remain vigilant and report any concerns.”

Norfolk Constabulary said in anticipation of an increasing number of well-wishers wanting to pay their respects, a one-way traffic system remains in place around Sandringham House in Norfolk to make sure people can access and leave the area easily.

In a statement, the force said: “Police officers on road blocks will be able to guide members of the public to car parks, where from there they can walk on to the estate and towards the Norwich Gates where floral tributes are being laid.

“All facilities at Sandringham remain closed until further notice.”

Thousands of well-wishers turned out on Thursday (September 15) to see the Prince and Princess of Wales view floral tributes to the Queen by the Norwich Gates of the Norfolk estate.

Responding to recent protest activity during this “time of national mourning”, the NPCC said it has “a long history of facilitating peaceful protest and upholding the right to protest, while balancing it with the rights of others”.

A spokesperson for the NPCC said the ability to protest was “a fundamental part of democracy and it is a long-established right in this country”.

They added: “We know some people want to protest on a range of issues during this time of national mourning, and officers must balance these rights against those who wish to grieve and reflect. We have issued guidance to forces on how they should do this, in order to ensure a national consistency of approach.

“Policing strives to ensure decision-making is consistent and fair, and is accountable to the law.

“Ultimately however, each event or protest has to be assessed on its own unique circumstances. That assessment does not include the cause or issue for the protest – all groups or causes are treated impartially.”

The UK Football Policing Unit and NPCC have also been working closely with the Premier League, English Football League and Football Association to balance the policing requirements following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, daily policing and enabling as many football matches as possible to go ahead as planned.

Following discussions, the majority of games across the men’s football pyramid, along with all WSL games, will go ahead this weekend.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC lead for Football Policing, said: “I am grateful for the discussions we’ve had with the Premier League, English Football League and Football Association.

“These talks have supported us in our commitment to police the national events following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, whilst also enabling the majority of games to take place this weekend as scheduled.

“It is unfortunate that a small number of fixtures have had to be postponed, but I am sure fans will understand the reasons why this decision has been taken.”