Queen’s funeral presents ‘massive challenge’ to Met Police, says new commissioner

Scotland Yard’s new commissioner says the Queen’s funeral presents “a massive challenge to the Metropolitan Police and to me personally”.

Sir Mark Rowley began his new job by swearing an oath to the King, thought to be the first senior police officer to do so.

He has many priorities, none more so than ensuring security for the Queen’s funeral in a week’s time when scores of foreign heads of state and up to a million visitors are expected to flood into London.

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He said: “We have been preparing for this for many, many years.

“There are some very diligent and determined people who put a lot of effort into this.

“I have a lot of trust and confidence in the fantastic police officers who are going to support this event.

“We are going to be putting thousands of officers into this because of the level of security required and the millions of people whom want to pay their respects.”

Sir Mark, who was appointed to the job four years after retiring from the Met, repeated his intention to renew a policy of policing by consent and restore public confidence in a force castigated over scandals in the past two years.

He promised “more trust, less crime and high standards” after much criticism over the Met’s culture and performance.

The force was put into special measures by the police watchdog Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.

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The outgoing Home Secretary Priti Patel warned Sir Mark last week that he must restore confidence after “the appalling errors of the past”.

His deputy Dame Lynne Owens also began her new job today.