The government stated Wednesday that the UK security forces are “ready to deal” with the challenges posed by the coronation, following the arrest of a man suspected of tossing shotgun cartridges into the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
The man, who was apparently armed with a knife, was apprehended by police at 7:00 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Tuesday, causing worry just days before King Charles III’s coronation, which will be attended by worldwide aristocracy and world leaders.
On Wednesday, security minister Tom Tugendhat attempted to reassure the public, telling Times Radio that police were “all over” the obstacles posed by the historic occasion.
“Our intelligence and other security forces are extremely aware of the challenges that we face and ready to deal with them as the police did quite brilliantly yesterday,” he said.
The Metropolitan Police said officers conducted a controlled explosion on a suspicious bag the arrested man was carrying “as a precaution”.
It later added that it was not treating the matter as terrorism-related.
The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched and a knife was found, the London force said.
“Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into police custody,” Met Police chief superintendent Joseph McDonald said in a statement.
“There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries to officers or members of the public.”
Golden Orb
British media reported that neither Charles, 74, or his wife Queen Consort Camilla, 75, were at the palace at the time.
Buckingham Palace officials declined to comment.
According to the Met, the drama began Tuesday evening when a man approached the palace gates and hurled numerous things into the grounds, which were later identified as shotgun cartridges.
They have been recovered and will be examined by an expert.
The Mall, which leads to Buckingham Palace, has been blocked to traffic in preparation for Saturday’s coronation, which will be the first in Britain in 70 years.
Thousands of ceremonial troops will march from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey as part of the coronation, for which dress rehearsals took place overnight Tuesday and Wednesday. Huge crowds are expected.
The security plan, dubbed plan Golden Orb, would include rooftop snipers and undercover agents, as well as airport-style scanners, sniffing dogs, and a no-fly zone over downtown London.
On Wednesday, senior Metropolitan Police officers told reporters that 9,000 police will be on duty on the day of the coronation, in “one of the most significant security operations” that the force has ever led.
Buckingham Palace has denied rumors that the security operation will cost at least £100 million ($125 million), raising eyebrows — and concerns — as many Britons grapple with rising living costs.
“I’ve seen a number of different estimated figures floating around, some more fanciful than others,” a palace spokesperson told reporters.
“A national occasion like this, a great state occasion, does attract huge global interest that more than repays the expenditure that goes with it.”
New police powers to stop protests have been brought forward to ensure that roads and footpaths remain open during the celebrations, said Tugendhat.
The streets of the capital have in recent years been blocked by environmental protesters, and republicans opposed to the monarchy say they will stage a demonstration on the procession route.
“The police need to have extra powers to move people on. I think that’s perfectly reasonable,” said Tugendhat.