The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has communicated to the Metropolitan Police that 21 individuals, apprehended during the policing operation for the King’s Coronation, will face no further action. The arrests were made to prevent a breach of the peace and on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance in The Mall and Whitehall on the morning of May 6, 2023.
Metropolitan Police officers referred the cases to the CPS in August 2023, seeking legal assessment. Following a thorough review of the evidence, prosecutors concluded that there is no realistic prospect of conviction, leading to the decision of no further action.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist explained, “Tens of thousands of people from around the world traveled to London on May 6 for the King’s Coronation. The Met played a vital role in ensuring the event passed safely and securely.”
Concerns arose in the hours preceding the Coronation, as intelligence indicated potential activist plots targeting the procession. Twist emphasised the need for proactive risk management to safeguard public safety and the event’s security.
“The Met deals with protests thousands of times every year across London,” said Twist. He highlighted the extensive policing plan in place on the day to allow peaceful protests along the procession route, including Trafalgar Square.
While acknowledging the CPS decision, Twist clarified that the threshold for obtaining a charge is higher than making an arrest. Officers acted on reasonable grounds to suspect potential offenses. For instance, three individuals arrested were found near the Coronation route with glue, a banner from a known activist group, Allen keys, and other items suggesting potential criminal activity.
Twist affirmed public understanding of the officers’ decisions in such circumstances, emphasising the challenging nature of their daily decision-making process based on limited information.
