Fake stewards planned to disrupt coronation, Met Police chief says

The Metropolitan Police commissioner has claimed officers had to target a “criminal network” during the coronation, which included people posing as stewards – who were caught with bottles of paint they intended to throw at the parade.

Sir Mark Rowley claimed police had received intelligence that people planned to use rape alarms and loud hailers to disrupt the coronation, “extensively vandalise monuments” and “throw paint at the procession”.

His defence of the police operation comes after six anti-monarchy protesters from the campaign group Republic who were arrested during the coronation were released without charges being brought against them.

Writing for the Evening Standard, Sir Mark described the arrests as “unfortunate” – but said it was “frustrating that there are things we are unable to share”.

“But while our investigations continue,” he added: “I can report that we found people in possession of possible lock-on devices and people that appeared to be purporting to be stewards of the event in possession of plastic bottles containing white paint which we believe were specifically to be used to criminally disrupt the procession and resulted in arrests for going equipped to commit criminal damage.”

He continued: “While it is unfortunate that the six people affected by this were unable to join the hundreds of peaceful protesters, I support the officers’ actions in this unique fast-moving operational context.”

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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has now called for a review of the police operation in a letter to Sir Mark.

“I am seeking assurance from you that the issues related to these will be subject to a review and lessons learned,” he says in the letter.

It comes after Scotland Yard issued a statement on Sunday night expressing “regret” over the six arrests.

“Those arrested stated the items would be used to secure their placards, and the investigation has been unable to prove intent to use them to lock on and disrupt the event,” the statement said.

“This evening all six have had their bail cancelled and no further action will be taken. We regret that those six people arrested were unable to join the wider group of protesters in Trafalgar Square and elsewhere on the procession route.”

A total of 64 people were arrested during the event on Saturday, including members of Westminster City Council’s women’s safety campaign Night Stars, who hand out rape alarms and other items.

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