Holding the Biggest Security Operation in the Last Decade, London Police Ready to Secure the Coronation of King Charles III

The London Police while securing the British military parade rehearsal. (Twitter/@metpoliceuk)

JAKARTA - More than 11.000 police will patrol the streets of the City of London, England for the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, the largest ceremonial event held in the capital in the past 70 years, fully prepared to deal with any incident, officials said on Friday. Wednesday.

Security forces have spent months preparing for the event, which will be attended by some 100 heads of state as well as a crowd of spectators. Thousands of military personnel will take part in the procession.

However, demonstrations were also planned by anti-monarchist groups in Trafalgar Square and along the procession route.

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat told Times Radio the event was one of the most important security operations the country has ever undertaken.

"Police are, to put it mildly, all over the area, and our intelligence and other security forces are acutely aware of the challenges we face," he said, citing Reuters, May 4.

Preparedness for the event was demonstrated by the swift response to an incident on Tuesday evening, when a man was detained after throwing what was believed to be rifle cartridges outside Buckingham Palace, Minister Tugendhat told Sky News.

We are proud to support the #Coronation of His Majesty The King & Her Majesty The Queen Consort as the world watches London host these historic moments.

It's our privilege to play a role in enabling Londoners and visitors to enjoy this moment of national significance.

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— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 3, 2023

"We are not at all complacent," said Tugendhat.

King Charles III, along with his wife Camilla, will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on Saturday. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan of London's Metropolitan Police said there had been no intelligence threat to the event.

The biggest problem is likely to be protesters who want to use this opportunity to highlight their cause, although a new law passed this week gives the police extra powers to deal with this.

Previously, climate activists caused a commotion during a parade at the start of the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last June.

"What we will not support and will not condone is anyone who commits a criminal act in the name of protest," Adelekan said.

"We will come down very quickly to intervene, to ensure that people who are doing their normal business who just want to enjoy the coronation are not disturbed," he said.

Separately, campaign group Republic said they were still planning to protest, despite having received a letter from the Interior Ministry explaining the new police powers - a move they said "could be construed as intimidation".

Republican leader Graham Smith said the group had met with police and were told they should not worry about the group's plans.

"The Republic will not be deterred and we will be protesting in Trafalgar Square and along the coronation procession route on Saturday," Smith said in a statement.

Operation Golden Orb is one of the most significant and largest security operations the Met has led.

On Coronation Day we will have the largest one day mobilisation of officers seen in decades with over 11,500 officers on duty.

29,000+ deployments during the operation.

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— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 3, 2023