Praise for officers who helped police funeral
23 September 2022
Gwent Police Federation members who took part in Operation London Bridge after the death of the Queen have received a message of thanks from the county's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
More than 140 Gwent officers – including Federation branch chair Matthew Candy - travelled to London for the complex security operation - the biggest in British history - and carried a wide range of duties linked to the 11-day period of mourning and the state funeral itself.
Matthew said the branch was extremely proud of the members who took part.
He said: “Most police officers will never experience anything like this ever again and have described their involvement as an honour and a privilege.
“The complexity of the policing and security operation surrounding the period of mourning and funeral was quite simply mind-boggling and the fact it was executed without a hitch speaks absolute volumes about the skill, dedication and professionalism of our police officers.
“We are extremely proud of them and they have every right to be very proud of themselves.”
The police presence was the largest on record with more than 10,000 officers deployed to ensure the vast crowds were kept safe, foreign heads of state were protected and the event was not disrupted.
Gwent PCC Jeff Cuthbert said: “I would like to thank all 143 police officers that travelled from Gwent to support the Metropolitan Police during the 12 days between the Queen’s passing and her funeral.
“The full state funeral involving the ceremonial procession of the coffin, the Queen’s lying in state, and then the funeral itself, presented an unprecedented security challenge and was one of the largest policing operations in history.
“Gwent Police supported colleagues from across the country with specialist search officers, explosive detection dogs, drones, motorcyclists and public order trained officers. It was the biggest deployment of mutual aid from Gwent in many years.
“All our officers did an outstanding job and helped to ensure that those who played a part in the arrangements, and those who travelled to witness this historic occasion for themselves, remained safe.”
Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the capital to pay their respects to the Queen in the run up to the funeral and there were also huge numbers lining the ceremonial procession route from central London to Windsor, Berkshire, where the monarch was buried.
About 500 foreign dignitaries flew in for the state funeral in Westminster Abbey, triggering the biggest ever personal protection operation undertaken in the UK.
