Added security ahead of funeral

Mounted section conduct patrols around town

Windsor is seeing an increased police presence and a range of added security measures during this period of national mourning.

This includes the Mounted Section, armed officers, street searches involving a dog unit, an ‘extensive’ network of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and CCTV.

The Mounted Section will be conducting patrols in and around the town centre and assisting with crowd control.

Horses provide riders with ‘a great height advantage’ that enables them to see into and manage extremely busy crowds, said the force.

The same function is served by the drone unit, live streaming to pilots who are on the lookout for anything suspicious.

The forces’ Roads Policing officers have also been carrying out patrols.

The roads have been ‘exceptionally busy’ and officers have been using

ANPR technology to monitor the road network to make sure people are visiting Windsor for the right reasons.

If a vehicle triggers the ANPR, officers are immediately alerted and will take action such as stopping the vehicle and talking to the driver.

There are planned closures of some roads and car parks. Anyone who is planning to travel to Windsor should expect a longer journey.

Specialist officers will also be patrolling Windsor’s waterways and river banks, supported by the Environment Agency.

For the busy train station, the force is working with British Transport Police to ensure safe journeys.

Finally, Thames Valley Police is carrying out specialist searches around the town.

Officers and dogs have been searching phone boxes, drains, bins and other items, as well as carrying out patrols in the town centre, the Long Walk and Home Park.

In addition to this there are a large number of security measures in place ‘which people will not be able to see,’ said the force.

Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Tim De Meyer, strategic commander for the force’s response to Her Majesty’s death, said: “Thames Valley Police has a long history of policing substantial royal events, including in recent years the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the funeral of His late Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

“Visitors to Windsor will see a larger police presence than normal in the town as we work to ensure that everyone can pay their respects safely and a variety of security measures are in place.

“If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to officers in Windsor who will endeavour to help you as much as possible.”

Police urge the public to ‘remain vigilant’ and report anything suspicious, as the force’s ‘extra eyes and ears.’