A total of 52 arrests have been made on the Coronation Day for various offences, the Met stated – majority of which consisted of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.

The Met has ensured “a safe, secure and dignified Coronation” with more than 11,500 officers during a huge operation as thousands of people travelled to central London to watch the procession and mark this historic moment of huge national significance.

“Over the past 24 hours there has been a significant police operation after we received information protesters were determined to disrupt the Coronation procession,” a spokesman from the Met stated.

“This included information that individuals would attempt to deface public monuments with paint, breach barriers and disrupt the official movements.

“Earlier this week we said our tolerance for any disruption, whether through protest or otherwise, will be low and that we would deal robustly with anyone intent on undermining the celebration.”

Commander Karen Findlay, who has led the operation, said: “This has been a magnificent team effort and everyone in the Met is hugely proud to have played our role.”

She said they understand public concern following the arrests they made on the morning of Coronation Day and continued: “Protest is lawful and it can be disruptive. We have policed numerous protests without intervention in the build-up to the Coronation, and during it.

“Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner in line with relevant legislation. We also have a duty to intervene when protest becomes criminal and may cause serious disruption.

“This depends on the context. The Coronation is a once in a generation event and that is a key consideration in our assessment.

“A protest involving large numbers has gone ahead today with police knowledge and no intervention.”

Breakdown of arrests showed that 32 people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, while 15 people were arrested to prevent a breach of peace. The other 5 were arrested on various other grounds such as possession of drugs, possession of a knife, suspicion of sexual assault, religiously aggravated and racially aggravated behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm of distress, and suspicion of affray.

(Source: Metropolitan Police)