There was a time when pirates had no trouble crossing the road on their own.
But police in London have deployed no fewer than four officers to see the cast of the new Pirates Of The Caribbean movie across a single street.
The officers are being diverted from their normal duties patrolling the streets in one of London’s most troubled boroughs to help out at a two-week shoot.
Scenes for the fourth film in the series, Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, are being filmed in the 18th Century buildings of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, South-East London.
The producers have paid up to £30,000 for four uniformed officers – including a sergeant – to be on duty to help hundreds of extras, dressed as soldiers, peasants and nobility, cross a road to reach the set – even though there is a pelican crossing 100 yards away.
The extras have to cross to get to the set at the Old Royal Naval College as they are based in a marquee set up on the other side of a three-lane main road.
The stars of the film, Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, are based safely on the set at the old college, parts of which have been transformed to look like Georgian London.
Depp has been seen filming scenes in which he jumped from a third-floor window and later balanced on a chariot pulled by galloping horses.
Last week, the procession of bizarre characters crossing the road made for a surreal sight.
A policewoman stopped the traffic for a single noble lady in a flowery hat. Moments later vehicles were held up again to allow an unshaven peasant in rags to cross.
A police spokesman said: ‘The production company requested the presence of the officers, which is why they are paying for them. We do not discuss exact costs.
'They are at the venue to ensure road safety and the prevention of crime and disorder.
'There have been hundreds of extras crossing the road so there was some concern over safety.
‘In addition, there have been members of the public and paparazzi trying to get inside the filming area. These are special-events officers.
'They would otherwise be in the borough on patrol but it is not like they have been removed from a specific estate. Appropriate policing is in place across the borough.’
A spokesman for Jerry Bruckheimer films said: 'The film shoot at the Old Greenwich Naval College is a huge set up with a very large crew and supporting background artists.
'The four police officers rotate on the crossing to provide breaks during the long shoot day. Their other duties are to have a presence to maintain public order similar as during other large events such as pop concerts or football matches.
'The police are paid the Special Services Rates as set by the Metropolitan Police.
'As a film production company we have a duty of care to both our crew and the members of the public. A shoot of this size absolutely requires the assistance of the police.'
But police in London have deployed no fewer than four officers to see the cast of the new Pirates Of The Caribbean movie across a single street.
The officers are being diverted from their normal duties patrolling the streets in one of London’s most troubled boroughs to help out at a two-week shoot.
Extra duties: An officer helps actors cross the road on set in Greenwich, south-east London
On set: Johnny Depp dressed as Jack Sparrow
The extras have to cross to get to the set at the Old Royal Naval College as they are based in a marquee set up on the other side of a three-lane main road.
The stars of the film, Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, are based safely on the set at the old college, parts of which have been transformed to look like Georgian London.
Depp has been seen filming scenes in which he jumped from a third-floor window and later balanced on a chariot pulled by galloping horses.
Last week, the procession of bizarre characters crossing the road made for a surreal sight.
A policewoman stopped the traffic for a single noble lady in a flowery hat. Moments later vehicles were held up again to allow an unshaven peasant in rags to cross.
A police spokesman said: ‘The production company requested the presence of the officers, which is why they are paying for them. We do not discuss exact costs.
'They are at the venue to ensure road safety and the prevention of crime and disorder.
'There have been hundreds of extras crossing the road so there was some concern over safety.
Bored: Military extras take a break during filming at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich
'They would otherwise be in the borough on patrol but it is not like they have been removed from a specific estate. Appropriate policing is in place across the borough.’
A spokesman for Jerry Bruckheimer films said: 'The film shoot at the Old Greenwich Naval College is a huge set up with a very large crew and supporting background artists.
'The four police officers rotate on the crossing to provide breaks during the long shoot day. Their other duties are to have a presence to maintain public order similar as during other large events such as pop concerts or football matches.
'The police are paid the Special Services Rates as set by the Metropolitan Police.
'As a film production company we have a duty of care to both our crew and the members of the public. A shoot of this size absolutely requires the assistance of the police.'
