Trump's ring of steel: Specialist police carry out searches in Windsor ahead of US President's UK state visit, as huge security operation begins amid fears of mass protests
Specialist police have carried out searches in Windsor ahead of President Donald Trump's state visit next week amid fears of mass demonstrations.
The US president's unprecedented second state visit begins on Wednesday and includes meetings with the King and an overnight stay at Windor Castle.
Large protests, organised by the Stop Trump Coalition, are set to be held in both Windsor and London against the two-day trip, with security heightened during his stay.
Specialist Search Unit officers were seen scouring bollards and bins outside the royal residence on Friday, with a sniffer dog on patrol too.
Sergeant Amber Timmis, from Thames Valley Police, said that Windsor residents will see ongoing searches by officers.
She said: 'Being in Thames Valley Police, we've got lots of people that live here of a royal variety, so just making sure that everyone is safe is something we do quite often, so we're very used to it, very adept in that, and very experienced.'
Asked about recent security breaches in the US, Ms Timmis, 'We do what we do, we already have a clear strategy and a clear message from our side of things.
Mr Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will meet the Prince and Princess of Wales on Wednesday morning in the Windsor estate grounds.
Specialist police have carried out searches in Windsor ahead of President Donald Trump 's state visit next week amid fears of mass demonstrations
Specialist Search Unit officers were seen scouring bollards and bins outside the royal residence on Friday, with a sniffer dog on patrol too
The US president's unprecedented second state visit begins on Wednesday and includes a meeting with the King
Protests, organised by the Stop Trump Coalition, are set to be held in both Windsor and London
They will then meet the King and Queen for an open-air greeting.
Trump will also receive a fly-past by the Red Arrows and UK and US F-35 military jets on the East Lawn at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, as well as a special Beating Retreat military ceremony.
There will be no public element during Mr Trump’s first day at Windsor Castle and his carriage ride will be confined to Home Park.
Unlike during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit, Mr and Mrs Trump will not take a carriage ride through the town or a trip into London to see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.
However, a royal salute will be fired from the east lawn of Windsor Castle, and at the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace has said.
This will then be followed by a carriage procession through the Windsor estate with Charles, Camilla, William and Kate.
The route towards the castle will be lined with members of the Armed Forces, and three military bands from the Royal Marines, Army and RAF.
On Thursday, Kate, 43, will join Melania Trump, 55, at Frogmore Gardens in the Home Park at Windsor Castle to meet chief scout Dwayne Fields and members of the Scouts' Squirrels programme.
Trump will also meet Sir Keir Starmer at Chequers, the prime minister's official country residence in Buckinghamshire.
