Met Police 'understand public concern' as 52 people…

Met Police 'understand public concern' as 52 people arrested during Coronation celebrations

The Metropolitan Police said it ‘understands public concern’ after 52 people were arrested in London throughout the King’s coronation day.

The police force came under heavy criticism on Saturday after campaign groups described “incredibly alarming” detentions during republican protests.

Protesters from the anti-monarchy group, including its chief executive Graham Smith, were apprehended during the day – as well as demonstrators from Just Stop Oil and Animal Rising.

14 people were arrested on The Mall, where the historic procession made its way to Buckingham Palace, including 13 who were arrested to prevent a breach of peace. Another person was arrested for the possession of drugs and a knife.

Fourteen people were arrested in east London on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. Six people were arrested on Whitehall, five of whom were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance with the sixth arrested for religiously aggravated behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm of distress.

In Westminster, six people on St Martin’s Lane and three on Wellington Arch were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. Another three were arrested in Soho for the same reasons.

Metropolitan Police officers line the streets ahead of the coronation ceremony (AP)

The police force said it received information that protesters were “determined to disrupt” the coronation – including defacing public monuments with paint, breaching barriers and disrupting official movements.

But campaigners said the protests were “peaceful”, describing the arrests as “a dangerous precedent for us as a democratic nation”.

Commander Karen Findlay, who led the policing operation, 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.”

READ NEXT:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here