Five police officers heading to London to help at state funeral

A call for mutual aid was put out ahead of the state funeral – and all official activity taking place around the event – from police in the UK.

Inspector Dave Ecuyer, Sergeant Ben Rowe and PCs Matt Le Page, Jessica Clarke and Nick Brown are all being sent in response to that call and will be supporting on operational duties in London before, during and after the funeral.

The five officers were formally sworn in as UK constables yesterday morning, to give them policing powers in England, shortly before they set off for London.

Head of law enforcement Ruari Hardy said they were glad to help.

‘The opportunity for these officers to directly act on their police oath and to serve the royal family during this time is a great privilege for Guernsey Police and the individual officers,’ he said.

‘I am sure they will represent our community with pride. Her Majesty’s state funeral will see the heads of state coming from around the world, and unprecedented crowds gathering across London to witness historic events. The security of all those involved and public safety will be an equally unprecedented policing operation for which comprehensive plans are in place, and the Guernsey Police are pleased to be able to send officers to support Operation London Bridge in this way on behalf of the Bailiwick.’

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to travel to London from Wednesday, as the Queen lies in state before her funeral on Monday, and train operators have warned that services will be much busier.

While only a few thousand, which will include the royal family and world leaders, will be able to attend the funeral on Monday at Westminster Abbey, it is hard to predict how many will travel to the capital to be near the service.

Hundreds of extra officers are being drafted in from across the UK and about 10,000 police officers could be on duty every day in London during the national mourning period.