The Met Police are preparing ahead of London Pride happening this weekend.

On July 6, Pride will hold their annual parade and related events in central London for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT+).

This is a unique event celebrating London's diverse communities, which the Metropolitan Police Service has proudly supported for many years.

Last year, record numbers of the Met’s LGBT Network took part in the parade, walking alongside staff from the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

The police will be participating in large numbers again this year and will also be lighting up New Scotland Yard in the Pride colours again.

Officers have been working closely with Pride in London for some months preparing for this event, and a detailed policing plan has been put in place.

The Police Liaison Team will be on the ground on the day to engage with the organisers and there will also be a number of high visibility police patrols including both armed and unarmed, as well as plain clothes officers being deployed at the event.

Police are encouraging those who wish to show their support for, and stand in unity with, the LGBT+ community to come and watch the parade and attend festival events.

However, the current threat level remains at severe, so we ask all attendees to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police or stewards assigned to this event.

Commander Helen Millichap, Met spokesperson for the event, said: “We want Pride to be a friendly and safe event for everyone to enjoy. We need the public to help us by taking the usual precautions by remaining vigilant and reporting anything of concern to police officers or stewards at the event.”

“As with any large event the Met’s priority is public safety and we are working closely with the organisers in the lead up to Pride to develop our policing plan”.