Police have made several arrests after a group of people attempted to enter the parade route for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Officers intervened after some people attempted to enter the ceremonial route on The Mall before Trooping the Colour, the Metropolitan Police said.
A group were dragged by police out of the path of a military band as they marched along at around 10.10am. Some of the group managed to sit down in the road before being pulled away by officers.
Another person walked ahead of the band holding a small poster above their head. Despite the disturbance, the band marched on and continued with the parade as police officers detained members of the group to the side.
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The force said on Twitter: “A number of arrests have been made of people who attempted to enter the ceremonial route in The Mall at approximately 10.10hrs today.
“The arrests were public order related for highway obstruction. Thank you to the crowd who showed their support by clapping our officers who returned to their post after dealing with the incident swiftly.”
The Jubilee celebrations kicked off this morning (June 2) with the Trooping the Colour parade, which honours the Queen's 'official' birthday. More than 1,200 soldiers and officers will be taking part in the tradition, along with 400 musicians from 10 military bands and corps.
The event takes place at Horse Guards Parade in London, with the whole thing broadcast on TV. There will also be an RAF flyover in London following on from the Trooping the Colour.
Tonight, a number of Jubilee Beacons are being lit across the country to mark the occasion, including around Greater Manchester. The city centre will host its own Jubilee Beacon lighting at St Peter's Square, with celebrations kicking off at around 9pm before the beacon is lit at 9.45pm.
Other beacons will also be lit in Bury, Carrington, Oldham, Saddleworth, Salford, Stockport and the Trafford Centre. More than 1,500 beacons will be lit up in total around the UK and the Commonwealth.
