Police seeking 900k from Government to cover Donald Trump’s security during State Visit

Thames Valley Police is seeking £900,000 from the Government to cover security expenses incurred during Donald Trump’s State Visit to Windsor Castle last September.Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber has accused the Home Office of refusing to reimburse his force for officer deployment costs during the two-day visit, which saw the US President and First Lady hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.Mr Barber expressed his frustration after pursuing repayment for several months, stating he was “disappointed” by the decision not to cover the full policing bill for the high-profile event.Officers from across the region were brought in to provide security for the occasion.Speaking to the BBC, Mr Barber said the force had been “short-changed” by more than £900,000, adding: “I was informed by the Home Secretary last week that Thames Valley Police will not be reimbursed the full costs of policing President Trump’s state visit at Windsor Castle.”The commissioner raised concerns about the growing burden on local residents, noting: “We know that state visits at Windsor are likely to continue to increase while Buckingham Palace undergoes refurbishment and these policing costs, with officers being taken away from their normal duties to police state visits of national significance, should not have to be picked up by local taxpayers.”He vowed to continue pressing for the funds.Mr Barber’s demands follow the Government’s decision to reimburse the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for its own expenses related to the same event.The local authority had complained last month about spending at least £350,000 on State Visits during 2025, noting this sum could have funded nine primary school teachers’ annual salaries.Council officials had previously declared they would refuse to cover any further royal visits due to financial constraints.Lynne Jones, the council’s deputy leader, said she was “really pleased” after the Government agreed to cover their costs.Mr Barber pointed to this contrasting treatment as “in contradiction” to the approach taken towards policing expenditure.LATEST ROYAL NEWS:William’s attendance at Canadian awards show unlikely despite royal receiving nominationPrincess of Wales jeweller hits out at Keir Starmer: ‘It is just catastrophic’King’s Speech date ‘locked in’ for May 13A Home Office spokesman maintained that the force would receive payment, telling the Telegraph: “We and the police have longstanding arrangements in place to ensure state visits are run safely and securely, while regular policing continues across communities.”The spokesman added that Thames Valley Police would be reimbursed for additional costs “through standard major event procedures.”Windsor has become the primary venue for hosting foreign leaders whilst Buckingham Palace undergoes extensive renovation work.The town welcomed three state visits during 2025, with French President Emmanuel Macron and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also received by King Charles alongside President Trump.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

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