LONDON — London police have hailed the British public for helping to make Friday’s royal wedding security operation “an amazing success,” following the arrest of 55 people.
Suspected anarchists were apparently seen putting masks on in central London’s Soho Square before the Royal Wedding got underway nearby, Sky News reported.
Many arrests were made along the route where the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge later passed after their marriage ceremony.
The alleged offenses included breach of the peace, drunk and disorderly, handling stolen goods and possession of an offensive weapon.
A 38-year-old man suspected of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl on The Mall was among those detained.
The £20 million (US$33 million) security operation got underway as police and the military faced the threat of terrorists, anarchists and stalkers.
Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Lynne Owens said her 5,000 officers should be “immensely proud” of their role in the “happy and safe” event.
Scotland Yard had reported the number of arrests as 57, but this was later corrected to 55.
Sky sources earlier revealed 21 suspected anarchists were banned from Westminster for the day’s events.
Each of the 21 have been bailed by police, while three others arrested in raids on premises — mostly squats — in London, Sussex and Cambridgeshire, are still in custody.
A ring of steel was thrown around Westminster Abbey where thousands of well-wishers gathered to catch a glimpse of the happy couple.
Armed police and undercover squads of special forces mingled with the crowds to combat any attempt to disrupt the event.
Marksmen took up position on roofs along the ceremonial route as search teams and sniffer dogs carried out a final check of vulnerable locations.
More than 80 VIPs were given close-protection bodyguards.
Police insisted they had no intelligence of a specific terrorism threat, although the UK remains on the second-highest alert to an attack from al Qaeda and a substantial risk of a strike from dissident Irish republicans.