6,000 police put on terror watch to protect Royal Family

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A massive security operation is underway on the river Thames today, to protect the Royal Family and the Royal flotilla from possible terrorist attack.

The Daily Mail reports that 6,000 police and 7,000 stewards are on call to protect the barge carrying the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Scotland Yard has committed all 21 of its patrol craft, along with two more from Essex Police and more than 20 vessels from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have been drafted in to help with safety on the river.

The Royal Family will be protected by Royal Navy vessels, marines and armed police, and SAS teams will operate from the riverside.

Plans have been drawn up to combat potential threats from extremists, terrorists, anarchists and stalkers.

Security checks have already been carried out on more than 30,000 individuals, including those who are taking part in the flotilla and those who have access to boats and bridges.

The flotilla sets off from Putney at 2.30pm today, and finishes at Tower Bridge at 5.30pm, when the last of the vessels arrive.

More than 20,000 people will be on the 1,000 ships, and at least one million people are expected to line the river's banks and bridges to watch.

Up to 50 large screens have been placed along the river for people to view the spectacle.

The flotilla, which is the largest pageant of its kind for 350 years, will be made up of all kinds of vessels from tall ships, military boats and rowing boats.

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