Met Police call for back-up forces from every region in country during Trump visit

Donald Trump is due to visit the UK on July 13
AP

Police forces from every region in the country have been asked to send officers to London next Friday to provide backup to the Met during Donald Trump's visit.

Despite the government placing the US president on a strict itinerary keeping him away from the capital, tens of thousands of people are still expected to attend demonstrations.

West Midlands Police have revealed they will be sending about 400 officers, while a spokeswoman for the Police Federation confirmed almost all forces would be sending reinforcements.

She said some of the smallest forces may not be able to provide extra officers, but other than that every region was expected to help out.

Huge crowds of people are expected to protest Donald Trump's visit to the capital
AP

"We're not able to say how many extra officers it will amount to because of the security implications of that," she said.

David Jamieson, police and crime commissioner for the West Midlands, has said he is extremely worried about the extra pressure Mr Trump's visit will put on his force after years of funding cuts.

He told the Birmingham Mail: "It is right that world leaders are able to safely visit the UK. The problem is that cuts have left the force with no capacity.

"It means when it is asked to help it has a hugely negative impact on policing in our area as officers rightly take days off to recover.

"Not so long ago the force had 2,100 more officers, which meant we had the capacity to manage when called on to police national events.

"Sadly cuts mean the thin blue line is thinner than ever."

Donald Trump's schedule will see the President avoid the capital 
PA

The Met has not revealed how many officers will be on the streets for Friday's protests, saying only "We are preparing for a multi-faceted policing and security operation involving the protection and movement of the president."

The force said in a statement: "We are anticipating people to gather in the capital to demonstrate both for and against the president.

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"The requirements of this complex operation need to be balanced with the right of individuals to freedom of speech.

"This will be a multi-agency operation with a very experienced command team."

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