Trump's UK visit cost British taxpayers nearly £18m in extra police security

Almost 10,000 officers from already-stretched forces deployed across country to facilitate president's trip to Britain

The police operation to provide security for Donald Trump during his visit to the UK drained almost £18m from the public purse.

Thousands of officers were deployed to cover the president’s three-day visit in July, the largest police mobilisation since the 2011 riots.

Sara Thornton, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), said a “significant operation” was undertaken in the four areas of the country Mr Trump visited, as well as at various protests staged against him.

“Nearly every force supported the operation with nearly 10,000 officers deployed from all over the country, performing over 26,000 shifts,” she said.

“The full cost of the operation is still being worked out but an early estimate is nearly £18 million.”

Ms Thornton said the presidential visit had come at a time when police forces across the country were already in “high demand”.

Officers were experiencing a large number of call-outs relating to the World Cup, hot weather, and various outdoor events and festivals.

“These demands affected local policing to differing degrees across the country with the host forces most impacted,” Ms Thornton added.

“The majority of forces had to cancel officers' rest days and extend the length of their shifts.

“Despite the challenges, the hard work of officers and staff made sure that the public were kept safe throughout.”

Making his first visit to the UK as president, Mr Trump held talks with prime minister Theresa May at Chequers and met the Queen at Windsor Castle, before travelling to Scotland where he played golf at his Turnberry resort.

However, the visit was met with large protests, including a demonstration in central London thought to have been attended by more than 100,000 people, while roughly 50,000 gathered in Edinburgh.

A six-metre tall “baby balloon”, a caricature of Mr Trump depicting him as orange-faced and dressed in a nappy, was flown over Parliament Square during the London protest following a crowdfunding campaign by organisers.

In Ayrshire, a man was charged by police for an alleged breach of a no-fly zone after a microlight dragging a banner reading “Trump well below par” flew within metres of the president during his time at Turnberry golf course.

Additional reporting by PA