The killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has not led the police to alter their security plans for Donald Trump’s upcoming state visit to the UK this week.
The officer in charge of the operation mentioned that they’ve prepared for nearly every possible scenario, which includes demonstrations against the US President.
Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt of Thames Valley Police noted that there would be a significantly increased police presence in Windsor, where President Trump and First Lady Melania will be hosted by the King, as well as at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s rural estate, which the Trumps are also set to visit.
He stated that the visit from President Trump already sets the ‘threat level’ to ‘very high’, but the assault on Trump supporter Mr. Kirk at a Utah university campus has not necessitated further tightening of security.
During a press briefing, he said, ‘We are continually reviewing our approach to these operations, doing so every day throughout the planning process.
‘I am very satisfied that we have developed a thoroughly comprehensive policing and security strategy that considers almost every potential occurrence.’
He described the state visit as ‘a significant policing and security operation’, drawing resources from across the UK.
‘The public can expect to see a very visible increase in our security posture in the coming days, and actually in Windsor and Chequers, they would have seen that already over the weekend,’ he said.
American right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, pictured with his wife Erika, was gunned down at a university in Utah last week
Police officers have been conducting security searches in Windsor ahead of the state visit of President Donald Trump
King Charles is due to host President Trump and his wife Melania at Windsor Castle
There will be an increased police presence in Windsor this week
‘We also have a considerable number of specialist officers for dealing with any protest that may take place.
‘Some of these and other policing tactics will be visible to the public, meanwhile we will be deploying other tactics that will not be seen by the public.
‘We have considered and planned for just about every foreseeable eventuality.’
Mr Bunt was unable to state how many additional officers had been called upon to assist Thames Valley Police, but said ‘mutual aid’ from other forces made up roughly two-thirds of the policing operation.
This will include uniform officers on patrol, firearms officers, search officers, mounted officers, dog handlers, and the marine unit on the River Thames.
Barriers will be put in place to manage crowds, while aircraft including drones will be restricted over and around Windsor Castle and Chequers.
He said officers will also be monitoring social media during President Trump’s short stay in the UK, largely to ensure nothing compromises the security operation or leads to potential disorder.
The visit will include a carriage tour, a state banquet, a flypast by military aircraft and a gun salute, but will be held largely away from the public.
The Trumps pictured with the King during a previous visit to the UK in 2019
The killing of Mr Kirk, pictured with US vice president JD Vance, prompted police to review their security measures ahead of President Trump’s state visit this week
Christian Bunt, the Assistant Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, is leading the security operation ahead of the Trumps’ visit
The King will host the Trumps from Wednesday until Friday at Windsor Castle, while Keir Starmer will meet with the visitors at Chequers on Thursday.
His first state visit to the UK in 2019 saw thousands of people turn out on the streets in London in opposition.
