Donald Trump will be protected by 10,000 police officers during his visit to Britain next month
In order to protect President Donald Trump from threat of a terrorist attack or mass protests for that matter, up to 10,000 police officers in UK are scheduled to be drafted when the US leader visits the UK next month.
To contain any violence in planned rallies and marches that would potentially clash with supporters of the US president, the British government has reportedly slated hundreds of riot vans full of frontline officers that will take to the streets upon his arrival.
An impressive 40 police cars and motorcycle riders have been demanded to flank the president whenever he travels by road in order to shield him from any assassination attempts. On Sunday, Daily Mail revealed that counter-terror "robocops" and armed officers from the elite forces, who train with the SAS, will be kept on standby in case of a terrorist activity during his visit.
Under the codename 'Operation Manifold', officers have been told to gear up to help out in areas the commander-in-chief is scheduled to visit, with several chief constables canceling rest days for their deputies.
That being said, concerns are being raised about adequate security for the rest of the country with the violent crime wave that has already claimed 77 lives this year in London alone, owing to the budget cuts to law enforcement under Mayor Sadiq Khan. A former public order chief in City of London Police, Kevin Hurley, said: "It will be a significant drain on visible policing – it's going to strip out resources from surrounding forces and it will be the youngest and fittest who are drawn off.
"Whenever the US president visits there is a huge security requirement just because of the threat from terrorism, but because of his current profile it's likely to increase opposition and there will be a significant requirement to maintain public order."
However, Trump is not being showered with the full pomp and ceremony of a State visit, which is supposed to take place within the next three weeks, after being widely criticized for his "zero tolerance" policy which allegedly caused immigrant children to be separated from their parents, according to reports.
He will be shown the "best of British" in a short, three-day tour and will mostly be kept away from Central London, where the majority of the protests against him will grow.
As of the moment, President Trump is set to reach Stansted Airport on Thursday, July 12, with White House advisers still due to visit Britain for obtaining complete details. The US leader would then be flown to the US Ambassador's grand residence in Regent's Park in his Marine One chopper before visiting Winston Churchill's birthplace at Blenheim Palace, where is set to have dinner.
Trump would be meeting with the Queen at Windsor Castle the next day, shortly after meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May at her country retreat, Chequers, and if time permits, he would be taken to an undisclosed military base for a visit. The 72-year-old commander-in-chief is also expected to see his Turnberry golf course in Scotland before flying back home on the last day.
Commanders are currently expecting at least 200 Police Support Units including three sergeants, an inspector, and over 20 public-order deputies in three riot vans to be ready for action throughout his visit, according to sources who spoke to Daily Mail.
Several Counter-Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officers will be working behind the scenes. These officers are trained alongside special forces to carry out hostage rescues and tackle terrorists. Every time the President and First Lady Melania move by road, at least 40 cars with armed escorts and teams of motorcycle outriders are expected to accompany their motorcade, say Washington insiders who spoke to Daily Mail.
All intersections along the route will be blocked by the force as the convoy proceeds. An online petition to carry out a Stop Trump protest on July 13, organized by Corbyn supporter Owen Jones, saw 53,000 signatures from people who said they will attend the event.
Having said that, potentially the most devastating clash could occur on Saturday, when a band of Trump supporters will join hands with supporters of Tommy Robinson, the imprisoned founder of the English Defence League, and confront a counter-demonstration at Downing Street.
Scotland Yard said: "We are preparing for a multi-faceted policing and security operation, involving the protection and movement of the president. The requirements of this complex operation need to be balanced with the right of individuals to a freedom of speech."
Simon Kempton of the Police Federation said: "Thousands of police officers will be leaving their forces to work in long and arduous conditions, and their colleagues will have to maintain a service to the public. This comes at a human cost to those officers."
Louise Haigh, Labor Party's shadow police minister told Daily Mail on Sunday: "Police officers across the country are having their rest days and leave canceled on a weekly basis to keep people safe. The very last thing they need right now is to be diverted from vital tasks to police the red carpet being rolled out for President Trump."