Police in London have said they "understand public concern" after officers made 52 arrests throughout the King’s coronation day. The offences included allegations of affray, public nuisance and breach-of-the-peace.
The Metropolitan Police came under heavy criticism on Saturday after what campaign groups described as “incredibly alarming” detentions during republican protests. Protesters from the anti-monarchy group, including its chief executive Graham Smith, were apprehended during the day – as well as demonstrators from Just Stop Oil and Animal Rising.
Commander Karen Findlay, who led the policing operation, said: “We absolutely understand public concern following the arrests we made this morning. Protest is lawful and it can be disruptive.
“We also have a duty to intervene when protest becomes criminal and may cause serious disruption."
"We have policed numerous protests without intervention in the build-up to the coronation, and during it. Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner in line with relevant legislation. We also have a duty to intervene when protest becomes criminal and may cause serious disruption.
“This depends on the context. The coronation is a once in a generation event and that is a key consideration in our assessment. A protest involving large numbers has gone ahead today with police knowledge and no intervention.”
The Met said arrests included 14 people on The Mall, 13 to prevent a breach of the peace and one for possession of drugs and a knife. Fourteen people were arrested in east London on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. Six people were arrested at St Martin’s Lane, Westminster, on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.
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Six people were arrested on Whitehall, five of whom were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance and the sixth was arrested for religiously aggravated behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm of distress.
Three people were arrested at Wellington Arch, Westminster, on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, while another three were detained in Soho for the same reason. Two people were arrested at St James’ Park, Westminster, to prevent a breach of the peace.
One person was arrested on Charing Cross Road on suspicion of affray, another was near Green Park Station on suspicion of racially aggravated behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. One person was arrested at Leicester Square on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.
One person was arrested at Trafalgar Square on suspicion of sexual assault.
