Police will have an “extremely low threshold” for disruptive behaviour at King Charles III’s coronation, the senior officer overseeing the event has warned.
In one of Britain’s biggest ever security operations, deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan told The National that officers will make a decision on using live facial recognition technology within the next 24 hours.
The officer and other senior figures have called on the public to be on high alert for any suspicious behaviour during Saturday’s service.
“If people feel something doesn’t look right, tell us and we will investigate,” Mr Adelekan said.
A security force of about 9,000 will patrol central London in what was described as a “momentous event” for Britain.
That security has already been tested after a man confronted personnel outside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday night, throwing live shotgun cartridges into the forecourt.
The incident was rapidly dealt with by police and explosive experts, and the suspect was arrested, but it highlighted the risks posed by the large crowds expected for the coronation.
By Thursday, it will be announced whether police have decided to use facial recognition technology on crowds in Britain for only the second time, following its first use at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September.
A watch list, understood to contain up to 1,000 people, has been compiled for those who have warrants out for their arrest “or place a risk to the public”, Mr Adelekan said. He refused to confirm whether terrorists were on the database.
Gen Lord David Richards, who will be carrying a ceremonial sword ahead of the king during the coronation service in Westminster Abbey, told The National in an earlier interview that the public had “an obligation to keep our eyes open”.
“Because it might just be someone, not in the Westminster Abbey audience I hope, but among the spectators on the Mall,” he said. ”
It is a national obligation to make sure that the very few people who might for whatever personal reason want to disrupt this great occasion don't manage to do so.”
Police will also be mindful of protests groups such as Extinction Rebellion who might try to disrupt the military procession using glue or handcuffs to attach themselves to fixed objects.
“We have an extremely low threshold for anybody or anything that will disrupt this event and what you will see is very swift action from us,” Mr Adelekan said.
New laws to curb protests came into force on Wednesday with protesters who block roads facing up to 12 months in jail.
Tom Tugendhat, the Security Minister, said the complexity of the security operation was heightened by the presence of many foreign leaders.
“It's perfectly possible that we're dealing with protest groups that have nothing to do with the UK, but are seeking to protest against a foreign leader who's visiting, or seeking to make a complaint about something that's happening hundreds or thousands of miles away,” he told the BBC.
More than 10,000 military personnel are taking part in the ceremony plus the 9,000 police on the procession route between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.
Armed officers will be ready to respond to any incidents, alongside marine support from the Thames and dogs units.
Even before a call was made on using facial recognition, human rights campaigners heavily criticised its potential use.
“Facial recognition is a dystopian tool that violates our rights and threatens our liberty,” said Liberty's policy and campaigns manager Emmanuelle Andrews.
“We all have the right to go about our lives without being surveilled and monitored — but this weekend, anyone in the vicinity of the king's coronation is at risk of having their face scanned by this oppressive technology.”
Big Brother Watch's legal and policy officer Madeleine Stone said: “The use of live facial recognition would have a serious chilling effect on the right to free speech on a day when thousands will be considering celebrating or protesting.”
Company%C2%A0profile
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GOODBYE%20JULIA
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
SPECS
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Squad for first two ODIs
Kohli (c), Rohit, Dhawan, Rayudu, Pandey, Dhoni (wk), Pant, Jadeja, Chahal, Kuldeep, Khaleel, Shami, Thakur, Rahul.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Five films to watch
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Pom Poki (1994)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The biog
Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito
Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa
Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".
Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".
Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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RESULTS
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