I just popped down to green park. About a hundred people, some of them in costume and a few hawking their wares. A few vanloads of coppers too, including FIT, and a couple searching bags at the gate.
One copper won the prize for the weakest and most transparent intel-gathering attempt ever, just as the procession moved off from the park:
*sidles up to a girl*
Cop: [jovial tone] Hello there, how's it going? Thought I'd see you here.
Girl: [less enthused] Hello
Cop: [attempts a mateish laugh] So where are you lot off to then?
Girl: Er, I dunno
Other fayre attendee: [to copper] Nice of you to turn up in costume though.
I wonder if they get training for this kind of subtle intelligence-gathering?