Home Secretary praises ‘professionalism, commitment and dedication’ of officers involved in Operation Bridges

She said it had been “inspiring” to see the way officers had risen to the task.

Monday’s State Funeral of The Queen marked the “final and most complex phase” of what is regarded as the biggest policing and security operation the UK has ever seen.

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said nothing could compare with the “hugely complex” task, describing it as the “largest policing operation in the Met’s history”.

Monday signalled the “final and most complex phase” of Operation Bridges following the death of the monarch, he said.

In a letter to the officers involved in Operation Bridges, Ms Braverman said: “Over the last couple of weeks, the eyes of the world have been on our country.

“During that time, there has been an enormous amount of pressure and expectation on you, the officers, staff and volunteers who make up our police service.

“As Home Secretary, I have been deeply impressed by the professionalism, commitment and dedication you have shown during this unprecedented period.

“I want you to know that I am thankful for all that you have done, and I know that the public will share my gratitude.”

She added: “The period of national mourning, culminating in the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, has been a unique and extraordinary chapter in our history. It is no exaggeration to say that the policing operation was colossal. Officers and staff up and down the country were stood up in a matter of days, sometimes hours. You recognised the depth of public feeling for The Queen, and responded with diligence, sensitivity and respect as you carried out your duties.

“It is a testament to the quality of our police that local plans across the country were delivered as expected, at pace, and without major incident. It has been inspiring to see the way you have risen to the task, but it has not come as a surprise.

“While I was only recently appointed, it is abundantly clear to me just how fortunate we are to have so many courageous individuals who work tirelessly to keep the public safe.

“That is the core mission for policing, and as your Home Secretary I will support you every step of the way to fight crime and protect communities.”

MPS Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the number of officers likely to have been deployed during the operation reached a point where it was “well beyond the total size of a force like West Midlands or Greater Manchester”.

He said police officers from around the country had “relished the opportunity” to help support The Queen’s funeral.

More than 3,000 officers from almost every force in the country were helping police in London.

Specialist teams involved in the operation include motorbike escort riders, mounted branch, firearms officers, dog teams and the marine unit.

In a statement, the MPS said: “The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen is the largest single policing event that the Met Police has ever undertaken.

“Although this is a period of sadness, we are honoured and privileged to be a part of history.”

The MPS said the funeral was the climax of “well-rehearsed policing plans initiated across the capital” alongside British Transport Police (BTP) and City of London Police.

It was also the largest global protection operation dealt with by the force, with world leaders, dignitaries and other VIPs attending the State Funeral.

Around 2,300 police officers were in place to oversee the Queen’s final journey from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle.

About a thousand lined the route, alongside military personnel, from the Abbey to Wellington Arch while the Queen’s coffin was carried from the service by gun carriage.

There was also a considerable police presence in Windsor ahead of the Queen’s committal later in the day.

Thames Valley Police said it had been one of “the largest operations undertaken by the force”.

A total of 2,000 police officers from Thames Valley Police and 28 other forces from the UK offering mutual aid worked in the town on Monday.