Met officers deployed across central London ahead of busy weekend

Officers will be deployed across Westminster on Saturday to support safety at Pride in London celebrations.

The Met has been working closely with the event organisers, key partners and the other emergency services for many months in preparation for the event which is expected to see more than a million people head into the capital.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell, who is leading the policing operation for Pride in London, said:

“The public can expect to see a significant policing presence across central London on Saturday. Officers will be on hand to ensure that those attending Pride celebrations can do so safely and securely.

“Our priority is to provide a visible, proportionate and effective policing presence that is ready to respond swiftly to any incidents.

“Pride is hugely significant for LGBT+ communities and those attending should be able to do so free from discrimination, abuse or fear. There will be no tolerance of hate crime – we urge anyone who is a victim of it to speak to an officer immediately so we can take action.

“We are expecting a very busy weekend, with many events taking place across the capital. Please plan your travel to and from the event in advance, look out for one another and ask for help if you need it.

“As with any large public event, we urge anyone attending Pride to be alert and keep their eyes open. If you see something that doesn’t that look or feel right, please trust your instincts and bring it to the attention of an officer or a steward. In an emergency, always call 999.”

Pride in London will include a parade and a number of entertainment stages.

The parade route, which will run from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall Place via Piccadilly, will see thousands of participants from community groups and organisations taking part. The Parade will begin at 12:00hrs and is predicted to be finished by 18:00hrs.

Six entertainment stages will be running on the day, located at Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Golden Square, Soho Square, Dean Street and Victoria Embankment Gardens. Pubs and bars across Westminster will be open as usual and are expected to be very busy.

Despite many other policed events taking place across the capital this weekend, neighbourhood officers will be maintaining their usual duties and protecting local communities.

Information on your local dedicated LGBT+ Community Liaison Officer (CLO) can be found on the Met Police website.

Information for anyone planning to come to Pride in London, including maps and details of key timings, is available on the official event website.

Information on travel options, including live updates on any delays or diversions, can be found on the Transport for London website.