Tough security – including Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology, closed circuit television and barriers – is being backed by invisible measures the public cannot see as the countdown to the royal wedding continues.

Inspector Simon Hills of Thames Valley Police’s Roads Policing Unit was busy coordinating the Commercial Vehicle Unit in Windsor on Wednesday as it carried out security checks.

He said: “I am proud to work as part of the team for the royal wedding. I have worked on a number of operations with national significance, but this is the first time I have been part of an operation that has global significance.

“In preparation for the wedding the Commercial Vehicle Unit will be conducting checks on various types of vehicles from light goods vans through to large goods vehicles. We will be using this opportunity to link in with the haulage industry who act as a very good set of eyes and ears for the police and we will be looking to disrupt any criminal behaviour that utilises these types of vehicles.”

Inspector Hills added: “On the day of the wedding the Commercial Vehicle Unit will be deployed in their specialist capacity and as part of the wider support for our Roads Policing unit.

“We will employ a number of tactics. These include powers under Health and Safety to inspect vehicles carrying any type of dangerous goods. We have powers under the Transport Act to enter and inspect large goods vehicles to inspect drivers’ hours, and we have the ability to forensically trace drivers’ routes.”