The U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the UK this summer ran up a security bill of almost £18 million.
Policing Trump’s three-day visit cost an estimated four times more than that of the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Sara Thornton, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), said a “significant operation” was mounted due to nationwide protests against Trump’s visit.
She added that costs were also higher because the President’s trip covered the areas of four police forces.
Ms Thornton said in her NPCC blog: “Nearly every force supported the operation, with nearly 10,000 officers deployed from all over the country, performing over 26,000 shifts.”
“The full cost of the operation is still being worked out, but an early estimate is nearly £18 million,” she wrote.
Trump met Prime Minister Theresa May at her weekend residence Chequers and Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle during his July visit.
He also attended a gala dinner at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire before heading to his golf resort in Scotland.
Trump’s visit prompted huge demonstrations across the country, including London, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast.
Two London marches that merged in Trafalgar Square were said by organisers to have attracted 100,000 protestors.
Ms Thornton said forces across the country were already experiencing high demand when the visit took place, due to the hot weather, a large number of events and festivals and the World Cup.
She 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.”
In contrast, the cost of policing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding was “between £2 million and £4 million”, according to Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfield.
