500 officers and drone teams deployed for Arsenal's Premier League title parade in Islington

More than 500 Metropolitan Police officers will be deployed across Islington on Sunday as Arsenal celebrate their first Premier League title in 22 years with a victory parade through north London. Specialist drone and search teams will also be active throughout the event, which the club has described as likely to draw a “huge” turnout of fans from around the world.

The parade begins at 2pm, starting on Holloway Road from Drayton Park before heading east along Seven Sisters Road and down through Blackstock Road, Mount Grove Road, and Green Lanes. It will then continue south along Petherton Road, Beresford Road, Newington Green Road, and Essex Road, turning north at Angel underground station onto Upper Street, before finishing near Highbury and Islington Station. The Emirates Stadium, Drayton Park, and surrounding roads will be closed for the duration.

The event is also expected to cause significant disruption to public transport, with several Tube stations and major roads closed throughout the day. Fans are expected to begin arriving in the area well before the 2pm start.

Commander Stuart Bell, leading the Met’s public order operation, said the parade is an opportunity for supporters to celebrate and that police want everyone to enjoy the day safely. “There will be a police presence along the route throughout the event, supporting event organisers and stewarding operations,” he said. “Officers will respond to incidents where necessary.”

Bell added that while the force expects the vast majority of attendees to behave “safely and responsibly,” it will not tolerate anti-social behaviour, violence, or any other criminality. “Officers will take action against anyone attempting to cause disruption or harm,” he said.

The operation has been months in the making, with officers and emergency services coordinating behind the scenes ahead of the festivities. Arsenal’s title triumph is tempered slightly by their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday’s Champions League final, though the Premier League trophy remains the centrepiece of Sunday’s celebrations.