Police officers in Windsor are conducting the UK’s largest security operation since the coronation of King Charles as President Donald Trump arrived for his second state visit.
The exact number of police officers being deployed has not been publicly revealed.
Thames Valley Police are leading the operations alongside officers from “all over the country,” according to Christian Bunt, assistant chief constable.
Bunt said the police were ready for “just about every eventuality,” with Windsor operating at a very high threat level.
Security operations were also reviewed after the shooting of Charlie Kirk, the right-wing activist and close Trump ally, in Utah last week.
Thames Valley police deployed resources in the air, on land and by waterways. Their task was to secure the historic town from potential threats during Trump’s visit and in the days leading up to it.
Trump is not expected to come face-to-face with the public at any point during his two-day state visit.
The president is being hosted by King Charles in Windsor Castle while Buckingham Palace undergoes renovations.
Dozens of firearms officers, sniffer dogs and police vehicles were seen patrolling Windsor’s streets.
The heaviest police presence was situated along Thames Street, in the shadow of Windsor Castle, where both pro and anti-Trump protestors gathered throughout the day.
Officers distributed leaflets that read “together, we’ve got it covered,” to commuters arriving at Windsor’s two railway stations.
A team of voluntary ambassadors wearing bright red uniforms represented the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. They were also on hand to help tourists and locals navigate the historic town.
A no-fly zone, which prevents small aircraft and non-police drones from flying above Windsor, is in place until Thursday. Police drones monitored crowds from the sky.
A marine unit from Thames Valley police conducted extra patrols and searches along a stretch of the River Thames.
Shielding Trump and his dignitaries from the public’s view was a mile-long barricade erected along the Long Walk, the usually-public path leading to Windsor Castle. As it stretched towards the town’s outskirts, the barricade’s metal sheets appeared to make way for wooden panels.
At least six people have been arrested in Windsor for various security breaches ahead of the state visit.
Four men were arrested on suspicion of malicious communications on Tuesday evening after images of President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, were projected onto the walls of Windsor Castle.
Two 37-year old men, one from Brentford, London and another from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, were also arrested for breaching the airspace restrictions above Windsor.
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