Police in London are on high alert today as up to 750,000 people are expected to turn out to take part and watch London’s Pride parade.
London’s LGBT+ parade is due to take place just 24 hours after a number of terror attacks took place in Tunisia, Kuwait and France leaving question marks over the safety of the general public in crowded spaces in cities across the world.
Extra security has been promised for Armed Forces day and the gay pride parade today in London, however spectators are being asked to be extra vigilant.
The UK’s terror threat level is placed at Severe after ISIS claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Tunisia. The Sun newspaper is claiming that an Armed Forces Day parade in South London had been a target for ISIS. According to the paper a thwarted suicide blast was intended to strike at soldiers from Lee Rigby’s unit during today’s parade.
According to The Mail, the Met Police’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball, said: “Our priority is to keep people safe and we continue to review our ability to prevent and respond to terrorist incidents and potential threats.
“And as we approach a weekend of large public celebrations around the country, including Armed Forces Day events and Pride London, we will be putting in place additional security measures to help protect and reassure the public.’
PARADE DETAILS
The London LGBT parade will leave Baker Street at 1.00PM and end in Whitehall at 4:30PM.
The Metropolitan Police report that they have been liaising with the organiser of this year’s Pride event for some months and that an appropriate and proportionate policing plan is in place.
This year’s Parade is one of the biggest ever with over 250 groups registered to take part in the parade.
Numerous worried members of the public have taken to social media to question the safety of London and the event.
The Pride In London committee have commented that they have over 1000 stewards and have been working closely with the Met Police to ensure the safety of those attending the parade.
Tweeting from their official Twitter account, they said, “All our usual precautions, and we work very closely with the @metpoliceuk to deliver a safe event.
“Safety is our utmost priority, above all else.”
