Donald Trump visit to UK: President's trip sparks biggest police operation since 2011 riots... costing a staggering £8 million

Huge operation: The police operation for Donald Trump's UK visit will cost £8m
Getty Images
Fiona Simpson11 July 2018

Donald Trump’s UK visit will spark the biggest police operation since the 2011 riots.

Almost every force across England and Wales has agreed to mobilise officers to cover the US President’s visits to Blenheim Palace, Chequers, Windsor Castle, the US ambassador's official residence in Regent's Park, London, and Scotland.

A "ring of steel" has already been erected around the north London park as tens of thousands of protesters prepare to descend on the capital.

The huge operation will cost between £8 million and £10 million and will leave home forces covering owed time off for months, senior police officials warned.

The police response is the biggest since riots broke out in Tottenham, north London, on August 6 2011, two days after the fatal shooting by police of 29-year-old Mark Duggan.

Unrest spread to other cities, including Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.

It is thought Mr Trump will avoid central London, where thousands of protesters are set to take to the streets and a controversial balloon depicting him as a giant baby will be flown near Westminster.

Officers from a variety of specialist teams including firearms, public order, traffic and special escort groups will be deployed.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Shead, from the National Police Co-ordination Centre, said: "Police forces are working together on a significant, multi-faceted security operation supporting the Presidential visit to the UK.

"Nearly all police forces in England and Wales are providing officers and resources to assist with the operations in areas hosting the visit.

Donald Trump Baby Balloon - In pictures

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"Following England's World Cup match on Saturday, forces are reporting exceptionally heavy demand.

"Emergency calls spiked significantly after the match and have continued to remain high. Police chiefs are working to balance support for the presidential visit, and policing any associated protests, with responding to calls for help from the public and minimising the impact on local police services.

"Unfortunately this means officers' rest days have been cancelled and many will be working extended 12-hour shifts.

On the defensive: barriers at the US ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, where Donald and Melania Trump will stay
Alex Lentati

"This is a busy week for policing across the country, so please only call 999 in a genuine emergency and don't let the football be an excuse for disorder or obstructing the emergency services."

Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation Ken Marsh said the operation is expected to cost £8 million to £10 million.

Simon Kempton, from the national Police Federation, warned that the event put forces "under unquestionable pressure" and said that during the visit the service was likely to become "merely reactive".

Donald and Melania Trump arrive at Brussels Military Airport in Melsbroek, Belgium, on Air Force One
REUTERS

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We are anticipating people to gather in the capital to demonstrate both for and against the president. The requirements of this complex operation need to be balanced with the right of individuals to a freedom of speech.

"This will be a multi agency operation with a very experienced command team."

Mr Trump suggested yesterday that Britain was in "turmoil" as he set off on a European trip taking in a Nato summit and face-to-face talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin as well as his first visit to the UK as president

He said he got along with Theresa May "very well", but suggested he might make time during his UK visit to speak with his friend Boris Johnson, who has just rocked her Government by resigning as foreign secretary.

It was "up to the people" whether or not they want Mrs May to stay as Prime Minister, he added.

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