The Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and the British
Transport Police are finalising preparations for the policing operation for Baroness Thatcher’s funeral on Wednesday 17th April, when extensive road closures and bus diversions in central London will be implemented from 7.30am.

Commander Christine Jones, MPS, said: "We are working together and drawing upon all our skills and experience to finalise the details for our policing operation next week. Our planning is being carried out using tried and tested systems so we are in a position to deliver the most effective operation we can."
Police officers will be deployed at strategic points along the route that the funeral cortege will travel, and road closures will be in place. There will be a range of security measures, in line with the current threat level. A mobile team of officers, called reserves, will be deployed ready to respond if needed to events anywhere in London.

"Every operation that we deliver is based upon a thorough assessment of the potential risks, and then we plan the most effective ways to mitigate against them. We wish to deliver our operation in a way that protects and secures, but does not intrude upon those people who wish to pay their respects” Commander Jones, added. “We are hugely experienced in safely delivering high profile and ceremonial events in the capital.

"Right up and during the course of Wednesday’s events we will monitor a range of information to make sure we have the most up to date intelligence picture. There has been much speculation about what levels of protest may take place. I would ask anyone who wishes to demonstrate then, or in the coming days, to come and talk to us. The right to protest is one that must be upheld, however, we will work to do that whilst balancing the rights of those who wish to pay their respects and those who wish to travel about London as usual."

The procession will run from The Palace of Westminster, through Parliament Square, along Whitehall, through Trafalgar Square, the Strand, Aldwych, Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill ending at St Paul's Cathedral where the funeral will take place.

In the City of London, road closures will include Fleet Street; Ludgate Hill; Farringdon Street; Queen Victoria Street; St Paul’s Churchyard; Cannon Street and New Bridge Street, and while they will be lifted following the funeral, delays are expected throughout Central London for the duration of the day.

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