COPS are on high alert over groups “plotting to sabotage” King Charles’ coronation.

The grand occasion will see thousands in attendance and millions watching around the world as Charles is crowned on May 6.

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Senior members of the Government and the Church of England will attend, alongside the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and other leading members of the Commonwealth.

It will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and take place in London’s Westminster Abbey, as it has for the past 900 years.

But security chiefs are battling against threats from terrorists, anarchists and eco-warriors looking to disrupt the event.

Ex-head of Royal Protection Dai Davies has now told the Mirror that “the threat is as big as it has been in 50 years”.

The coronation will see royal protection officers planning the biggest security operation in a generation over safety fears to royals.

And specialist cops are reportedly not only keeping their eyes on established terror groups and other “fixated individuals”.

Others who have had intelligence gathered on them include members of peaceful campaign groups, according to the paper.

The former head of royalty protection Mr Davies said: “It is clear the threat to the monarchy is as big as it has been in the last 50 years – and the potential is as big because of the rise of Irish dissident groups and the increased action of anarchist campaign groups.

“This unique set of circumstances has piled pressure on services which are already stretched to the limit”.

Forces in England have also reportedly been filming and profiling anti-monarchist campaigners over fears they will target Charles’ big day.

Security sources warned environmental groups could also use the highly televised coronation to garner attention to their cause.

Back in February, the King faced anti-monarchy protestors waving placards stating “Not My King”.

The monarch stood just five yards away as  20 of them waved placards and shouted “Why don’t you answer your critics?”.

Charles, 74, was making a solo trip to Milton Keynes to mark its new city status after the Queen ­Consort tested positive for Covid.

Apparently undistracted by the protests, Charles greeted hundreds of wellwishers and revealed his wife, 75, was “getting better”.

He also revealed he wants to visit Ukraine when the war was over.

Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-royalist group Republic, said it planned to step up protests.

Around 25 police kept an eye on the crowd and the demonstration passed off without any major incident.

A bank holiday has been added to the weekend on Monday, May 8, so the celebrations can be continued.

Harry and Andrew will both attend the Coronation though neither will have a formal role.

While Sarah Ferguson will be joined on the sidelines by Prince Harry’s wife Meghan who is staying in the US for son Archie’s fourth birthday.