Major police drone operation for Donald Trump's unprecedented state visit

Police are preparing to launch a major drone operation in Windsor for Donald Trump's historic state visit. A 1.5-nautical mile no-fly zone is being put in place around Windsor Castle where the US President will be hosted by the King next week.

More than 50 drones are being made available to Thames Valley Police in what will likely be one of the force's largest ever operation of its kind. Inspector Matthew Wilkinson, an airspace commander, said it is a "significant" operation and "akin" to policing for other major events held at the Royal residence. He added it would be "similar in scale" to the King's Coronation, without providing numbers on the number of officers set to be deployed.

Around 1,000 Thames Valley Police officers were deployed to Windsor over the Coronation bank holiday weekend in 2023.

Pilots will fly the drones in support of search operations on the ground, particularly areas difficult to reach on foot.

"We'll also use them if an incident were to unfold, we can get a completely different viewpoint very quickly, by deploying a drone and seeing what's happening," said Insp Wilkinson.

Officers will carry out a mixture of overt and covert tactics during the policing operation which will be supported by other forces, he added.

Drones have become an increasingly important asset for Thames Valley Police, being used day-to-day since 2019.

Insp Wilkinson said the force has a greater drone capability today than in 2018 when Mr Trump was in Windsor for his first state visit.

"Technology changes, we move forward, our tactics are always developing and changing, and we've had the opportunity to understand what drones can do for us as a police force."

In a demonstration to journalists on Monday, officers showed off one drone, capable of reading a number plate from 350-400 metres away, that could be used next week in Windsor.

It weighed around 4 kilograms, but the force also has smaller drones at its disposal with one weighing less than 250 grams.

The air exclusion zone around the castle will be in force between September 16-18 and applies to all aircraft, not just drones.

Insp Wilkinson said the police have worked "closely" with nearby Heathrow Airport but stressed traffic is not being re-directed and it is "business as usual".

Thames Valley Police said it has launched a "visible and enhanced" presence in Windsor ahead of Mr Trump and First Lady Melania Trump's unprecedented state visit.

Usually American presidents are not offered a state visit in their second term.