POLICE SEARCH OF ABBEY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27055, 2 June 1953, Page 7

POLICE SEARCH OF ABBEY

PRECAUTIONS BEFORE CORONATION LONDON, May 31. Police will make a foot-by-foot search of Westminster Abbey before the Queen is crowned on Tuesday. Scotland Yard, which is responsible for the Coronation security arrangements, is taking no chances on any crank hiding himself away with the idea of interrupting the ceremony. The Abbey is full of recesses and statues, and offers a thousand hiding places. Outside the Abbey itself on Coronation Day, 15,000 police will be on duty along the seven-mile procession route. They will control the crowds, ensuring that traffic does not become chaotic, and keep a look-out for any people who may want to start trouble. The police estimate that about 3,000,000 people may be on the route, and thousands of plain-clothes detectives have been detailed to mingle with them. All the 7000 Abbey guests have been rigorously selected by the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl Marshal, who is responsible for arranging the Coronation. But even so there will be Scotland Yard special branch men among them.

Admission cards will be closely scrutinised at the entrance to the Abbey. The cards are said to have a secret marking which will prevent anyone from being admitted on a forged card.