ARMED police were out in force guarding high profile events across the country today - as exhausted cops begged potential trouble-makers: "Don't be a d***".
Officers with automatic rifles were sent to patrol at Glastonbury Festival, the summer solstice at Stonehenge, the Royal Ascot race meeting and the Queen's Speech in Westminster.
The political showpiece was followed soon after by a Day of Rage protest involving hundreds of anti-capitalists who marched on Downing Street amid fears it could spark riots.
Emergency services have been stretched almost to the limit in recent weeks by the terror attacks in London and Manchester and the Grenfell Tower fire.
One anonymous officer begged for calm on Twitter saying: "Those protesting at the #Dayof Rage. Police have one message - Don't be a d***!
"It's hot and we're already exhausted demoralised & undervalued."
Traffic cop Sean Murphy added: "Day of rage? Once again pushing the beleaguered police. There isn't an inexhaustible amount of police officers just exhausted ones!"
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A nationwide terror alert meant armed cops had to be deployed in London, Berkshire, Somerset and Wiltshire - in addition to their normal duties.
They were first seen before dawn flanking Stonehenge with a ring of steel as Pagans and other revellers gathered at the ancient stones to celebrate the longest day of the year.
Police vans were seen lining the road approaching the Neolithic site in Amesbury, Wilts, and cops in body armour gave a slightly sombre edge to the celebrations.
Armed police were also out in force in Westminster where for the State Opening of Parliament and the Queen's Speech.
Officers were seen checking drains outside the Houses of Parliament, and snipers were positioned on nearby roofs as the monarch arrived and left.
After a quick change of outfit the Queen headed to the second day of Royal Ascot, where racegoers at the Berkshire course were watched closely by heavily armed police.
Firearms officers and police sniffer dogs were also deployed to Piltdown Farm in Wiltshire as thousands of festival-goers arrived for the start of Glastonbury in blazing sunshine on the hottest day of the year.
Recent terror attacks, including an attack on Muslims leaving a mosque in Finsbury Park prompted chiefs to beef up security for the events.
David Spofforth from the Pagan Federation told the BBC it was "very sad" armed police were necessary at Stonehenge.
He said: "I am not saying I am welcoming this, I sadly accept it.
"But you just have to look at the events such as at Finsbury Park, a peaceful religious gathering where people suffered so much by the actions of one hate-filled individual."
Superintendent Dave Minty of Wiltshire Police said: "At Stonehenge there will be an increased number of officers and staff this year carrying out high-visibility patrols, and as a further precaution visitors may see armed police officers in the vicinity.
"I must stress that this is not due to any increase in threat or change in the intelligence picture surrounding the event or the county as a whole."
And they're hat it at Ascot
STARS headed for Ascot yesterday in dazzling hats.
Poldark star Eleanor Tomlinson, 25, was peak viewing in a white hat.
Footie’s Ryan Giggs, 43, donned a top hat. But ex-boxer Chris Eubank, 50, teamed his with jeans.
Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, 22, brim-med with pride in a white titfer. Royal Zara Tindall, 36, had an intricate creation with blue bands.
And one racegoer had a dartboard hat. Now that’s sharp fashion sense.
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