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Tight security for Olympic flame's journey through London

05/04/2008

Police are making special arrangements to ensure that the Olympic flame passes peacefully through London.

Anti-China activists demonstrating against the crackdown on independence activists in the territory have vowed to press their case during the torch relay.

The torch, which is on its way from St Petersburg, will begin its journey from Wembley and will end its day-long parade through the capital in North Greenwich at the O2 Arena. During the day it will pass through Trafalgar Square and Downing Street, where it will be welcomed by prime minister Gordon Brown.

Protesters from the Free Tibet campaign have vowed to raise awareness of the human rights situation in the Chinese territory during the 31-mile journey in which 80 athletes will carry the symbol of the games.

Human Rights Watch’s London director Tom Porteous also called on the prime minister to use the occasion to speak about China's human rights record and to "distance the country from the abuses linked to the Beijing Games".

Speaking about the security measures introduced, Cmdr Bob Broadhurst from the Metropolitan police told the BBC: "There are plans and I would say to those that do come to demonstrate, 'Do so lawfully and we'll allow it, but if you try and disrupt the torch or you try and grab the torch we'll be there to stop you, so please don't do it'."

The Olympic flame is scheduled to pass through 20 countries before returning to Beijing for the start of the games.