Biggest policing challenge in British history

‘We’ve been preparing for many, many years’

Scotland Yard’s new commissioner yesterday said masterminding the Queen’s funeral will be the biggest security operation in British history.

on his first day in office, Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged the scale of the task ahead as he said his first priority would be to enable mourners from all over the world to safely pay their respects to the Queen.

after becoming the UK’s first police chief to swear allegiance to King charles III, Sir Mark said he would pour thousands of officers into the security operation to protect the one million people expected to descend on the capital over the mourning period.

‘It’s a massive challenge for the Met and for me personally,’ Sir Mark admitted. ‘But we have been preparing for many, many years. I have a lot of trust and confidence in the fantastic police officers who are going to support this event and help make it safe.’

the new commissioner faces a baptism of fire as he takes control of Britain’s biggest police force. Sir Mark has the task of transforming a scandal-hit force at an unprecedented time of uncertainty with a new monarch, Prime Minister and Home Secretary. But his first priority will be masterminding the biggest security operation this country has ever seen.

as Britain’s former head of counter-terrorism, Sir Mark has years of security planning experience. He also led policing of the diamond Jubilee and supported security for the london 2012 olympics.

around 10,000 police officers will be on duty every day in london in the lead-up to the Queen’s funeral. the Met will also need extra specialist officers from across the UK, including close protection and firearms, to take part in the meticulously planned operation. and British transport Police is boosting the number of officers at main railway stations.