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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Robert Dex

Police acknowledge public concern over arrests on Coronation Day

The Met Police said they “understand public concern” after officers made 52 arrests on the King’s coronation day – including alleged affray, public nuisance and breach-of-the-peace offences.

The Metropolitan Police was criticised after what campaign groups described as “incredibly alarming” detentions during republican protests.

Protesters from the anti-monarchy group Republic, including its chief executive Graham Smith, were apprehended during the day – as well as demonstrators from Just Stop Oil and Animal Rising.

Police gather up placards intended to be used by Republican protestors (PA)

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.”

The Metropolitan Police said 14 people were arrested on The Mall, 13 to prevent a breach of the peace and one for possession of drugs and a knife.

Another 14 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.

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 or distress.

Three people 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.

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