Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Anthony France

Queen’s funeral: Police arrest 67 people in London amid biggest security operation in UK history

Police made just 67 arrests during the Queen’s funeral, which saw the biggest security operation mounted in British history.

Around 15,000 officers and 1,500 soldiers protected huge crowds, royalty, world leaders and other dignitaries in the first major test for Scotland Yard’s new Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.

His deputy Dame Lynne Owens said on Tuesday it had been the force’s “honour and privilege” to serve King Charles by escorting the late monarch on her final journey from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle.

She said: “Officers and staff worked tirelessly with the encouragement of the public.

“We start this week knowing the challenges we still face but with determination to build on the confidence communities have this past week shown in us - essential to cutting crime and keeping people safe.”

The scale of the Met’s operation surpassed that for the Platinum Jubilee weekend and the London 2012 Olympics.

An estimated 250,000 people paid their respects in person during the Queen’s Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall.

Muhammad Khan, 28, from Limehouse, was set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with a public order offence after allegedly leaving the queue to approach the coffin.

Mark Hague, 52, was fined £120 under Section 5 of the Public Order Act at the same court on Monday.

Hague, of no fixed address, had been arrested after concerned mourners overheard him saying he was going to tell the monarch to get out of her coffin because she was not really dead.

Police and security services were alert to the prospect of knife attacks, bombs and all other possible terror threats or incidents.

More than 3,000 officers from almost every force in the country helped.

Sir Mark, who only took over the role a week ago, likened the total number of colleagues deployed to the size of West Midlands or Greater Manchester police.

Armed police, motorbike escort riders, officers carrying out patrols on horseback, dog teams and the marine unit were among the specialist teams involved.

Rooftop snipers were in place while the cortege moved, accompanied by a helicopter escort outside the capital.

There were more than 22 miles of barriers in central London alone to control crowds and keep key areas secure.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.