Royal wedding policing ‘robust’

Police have called on people in the crowds to be their “eyes and ears”.

Anyone attempting to disrupt the royal wedding on Friday will face a “robust” response, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Some 5,000 officers will be on duty to ensure the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton is a “safe, secure and happy event”.

Cdr Christine Jones, who will be overseeing the police operation, said there was no specific known threat.

But 60 known troublemakers have been banned from London on the day.

Cdr Jones said intelligence suggested there was currently no specific threat to the “meticulously planned” event.

“We would be wrong not to consider spontaneous protest as part of our contingency planning. But let us make it absolutely clear – this is a day of celebration, joy and pageantry. It is a fantastic day for Britain,” she said.

“Any criminals attempting to disrupt it, be that in the guise of protest or otherwise, will be met by a robust, decisive, flexible and proportionate policing response.”

Radical Islamist group Muslims against Crusades had an application to protest outside Westminster Abbey on royal wedding day rejected by the Met Police.

The ultra-nationalist English Defence League had said it would hold a counter-demonstration if permission were granted.

Police called on the thousands of people planning to attend to help them on the day, by being their “eyes and our ears”.

Assistant Commissioner Lynne Owens said at news conference: “If you see anybody in the crowd that is acting suspiciously please bring it to the earliest attention of our officers.

“There will be thousands of officers on duty, lining the route, and they are there to help you.”

As well as the Royal Family, 50 heads of state are attending the ceremony, which it is anticipated will be watched by up to two billion people on television. There will be 70-80 close protection teams for VIPs on the day.

Meanwhile, the first member of the public has begun camping out in front of Westminster Abbey.

John Loughrey, 56, began his week-long vigil on Monday night, saying he planned to stay in his position to ensure a prime spot for the event.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.