Royal wedding stop and search tactics

Police officers could use stop and search powers to a greater extent after concerns were raised by a senior Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer about protests which could disrupt the royal wedding at the end of April.

Commander Bob Broadhurst, who led the police operation of the TUC protest over the weekend, revealed this week that officers will consider using stop and search powers to prevent troublemakers disrupting the royal wedding.

Violence and disorder erupted during the weekend’s rally against government cuts after breakaway groups stormed shops and vandalised buildings in central London.

The MPS said that it will take a different approach to policing Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton on April 29, watching out for every threat “from terrorism downwards”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Broadhurst said: “We are looking specifically at the royal wedding and what we can to do prevent Saturday’s disorder and violence creeping in to that event.

“We always look at our powers to try to quell violence before it happens. You are looking at a different type of threat. The threat to the wedding is a threat to ‘principals’.”

In policing terms, principals usually refers to VIPs, a large number of which are expected to attend the royal ceremony.

It is likely that the police will stop and search suspects before the wedding, unlike on Saturday, when vandals have been targeted after the event, using video evidence.

“The royal wedding has a different tenor to it. It is a security operation largely in certain parts of London,” said Mr Broadhurst.

“That will give us different powers. It is quite appropriate that police have different powers in terms of security, as against people’s rights to come and openly protest. You are looking at a different type of threat – the threat to the wedding is a threat to principals, it is a threat to democracy.”