Police operation before Queen's funeral will be 'hugely complex'

London police will focus on managing crowds wanting to pay respects to queen, says senior Met officer

Police stand guard outside Buckingham Palace in London on Saturday. AFP

Queen Elizabeth II dies — follow the latest news as the world mourns

Policing in London in the run-up to the queen’s funeral will be a “hugely complex operation”, a senior Metropolitan Police officer has said.

Hundreds of extra officers had been called in as thousands descended on the capital after the monarch’s death, deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Cundy said on Sunday.

A huge number of mourners are expected to queue for hours, including overnight, to pay their respects to the queen as she lies in state.

That is expected to start on Wednesday and officers are likely to be concerned with managing the crowds.

Leaders from around the globe will also travel to the UK for the state funeral on Monday, meaning security will be of greater concern.

“Our role is to ensure this is going to be a safe and a secure set of events," Mr Cundy said.

“Our policing operation is hugely complex, with a huge amount of detail within it, as you can well imagine.

“So we’re always mindful of all manner of different potential things that might occur.

"We know that not just the eyes of the United Kingdom but the world will be on London at this point in time.”

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Buckingham Palace was one of Queen Elizabeth II's official residences. It is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Photo: Ronan O'Connell

The Palace of Westminster is the home of the British Parliament. Photo: Ronan O'Connell

Alongside Buckingham Palace, the magnificent Westminster Abbey is intrinsically linked to Queen Elizabeth II. Photo: Ronan O'Connell

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For 70 years the queen presided over the Royal Collection, which is displayed in museums across the UK, including the V&A. Photo: Ronan O'Connell

St Paul's Cathedral was the setting for countless services and memorials attended by the queen during her life. Photo: Dan Kitwood

Members of the public are being encouraged to engage with police and speak to them if they have any concerns.

“This is a point in time for everybody to remember Her late Majesty the Queen, to pay respects, and I think also to celebrate the long life of public service which she demonstrated," Mr Cundy said.

“As a police officer, we swear a solemn oath and it’s a real privilege to be serving His Majesty the King.

"The Met is well prepared and people will already have seen significant policing presence of my colleagues here in London, and that will continue to build over the coming days.

“We’re working closely with other police forces here in London, and many other partners and other agencies that are involved in the many events that will take place from now leading up to the state funeral on Monday.”

Worldwide tributes to Queen Elizabeth - in pictures

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The statue of Christ The Redeemer bears the colours of Britain's flag in honour of the late queen, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP

The American flag flies at half-mast at Capitol Hill in Washington. AP

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Queen Elizabeth's royal cypher is projected onto the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. Reuters

A tribute to the queen is projected onto the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Reuters

A man bows at the gate of the British Embassy in Tokyo. AP

People gather around a statue of the queen at Government House in Brisbane, Australia. EPA

A member of the public signs the condolence book at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. EPA

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Petrin Lookout Tower in Prague, the Czech Republic, is lit in British colours in honour of Queen Elizabeth. AP

Gregg Donovan lights a candle at a memorial at Ye Olde King's Head British restaurant in Santa Monica, California. EPA

The Tel Aviv Municipality building is decked in the colours of the British flag as a sign of solidarity to the British royal family. AFP

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The Union Jack flies at half-mast at the British Embassy in Paris. AFP

A man pays his respects in front of the British Embassy in Berlin, Germany. EPA

The queen's image appears on a screen during a Uefa Europa League match between Lazio and Feyenoord in Rome, Italy. Getty

Messages of condolences and floral tributes are left at the gates of Government House in Sydney, Australia. EPA

The American flag flies at half-mast over the White House. AP

The Union Flag at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi at half-mast. Victor Besa / The National

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Flowers are laid near a statue of the queen inside the retired ocean liner 'Queen Elizabeth Two', docked at Port Rashid in Dubai. EPA

A worker carries mourners' flowers in the British Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. AP

Amos Ndegwa sits in front of the condolence book in the Treetops Hotel in which Queen Elizabeth stayed the night her father George VI died in 1952, in Aberdare National Park, Kenya. Reuters

Portraits of the queen in Tottenham Court Road tube station in London. AFP

Mr Cundy said the force was prepared for the visit by world leaders for the funeral.

“Part of our policing operation, and we have much experience with this here in the Met Police, is to protect key individuals that may be coming at different points in time, but particularly to the state funeral on Monday," he said.

"Undoubtedly that will be many people, many significant individuals from across the world.

"But we have excellent protection officers that will be working with other colleagues to ensure that there’s a safe and secure environment for people to come and pay their respects and to remember that life and public service of Her late Majesty the Queen."