US President Donald Trump arrives in the UK today for a three-day official state visit
How might this visit impact on City and Central London premises, and premises in other parts of the country?
City of London, Central London, and other customer sites across the country impacted by the visit especially those where there are American owned
businesses or interests, or which are adjacent to such businesses, should place their security teams on high alert.
Today, the first day of Mr Trump’s three-day trip, will see a ceremonial welcome attended by the Queen, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will be held in the Buckingham Palace garden. After the welcome, the Duke of Sussex will join the group for a private lunch at the palace.
Later on the president will be given a tour of Westminster Abbey and will also meet Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall for tea at Clarence House.
Heads of state are usually welcomed to the UK on Horse Guards Parade, rather than in the palace grounds.
President Trump will be staying at the US Ambassador’s residence Winfield House, near Regent’s Park in central London.
A state banquet in the palace’s ballroom will take place on Monday evening, with Mr Trump, the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall joined by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with other UK public figures and prominent Americans living in Britain.
On Tuesday, Mr Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May will host a business breakfast attended by the Duke of York at St James’s Palace.
Business leaders understood to be attending include Barclays CEO Jes Staley, GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Emma Walmsley, BAE Systems chairman Sir Roger Carr and the National Grid’s John Pettigrew.
Mr Trump will then visit Downing Street for talks with Theresa May, followed by a joint press conference. Mrs May has said she will step down as prime minister three days later on 7 June.
In the evening, the Trumps will host a dinner at the residence of the US ambassador attended by Charles and Camilla on behalf of the Queen.
The trip is expected to culminate on Wednesday 5 June with Mr Trump, the Queen and Prince Charles attending the national commemorative event in Portsmouth for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
A visiting leader will sometimes speak at the Houses of Parliament during a state visit, but this is currently not confirmed.
On the basis that there will be huge numbers of protestors on the streets of Central London, and also in Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham and Nottingham, there is a risk that some may decide to protest outside the offices of American owned interests, or disrupt staff and visitors to such places.
Whilst most protestors will be focusing their attention on causing disruption along the visit routes (see CSSC bulletin and map) extra vigilance should be applied to managing access control.
Some protestors may attempt to gain unauthorised entry to places where there are US owned interests or assets. In addition, all persons (Security and other personnel) working on customer sites in London should follow the TFL, and Police announcements on any impact on the Tube, Bus and other transport networks.
All site Security Control Rooms should be monitoring Sky/Breaking News around the clock.
It is also vital that measures are in place to alert the police via 999 calls (not 101) or panic alarms in real time.
The current threat level from international terrorism for the UK is now assessed as: SEVERE
The threat level for Irish related terrorism is set separately for Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
The threat from Northern Ireland-related terrorism in Great Britain is set at MODERATE
In Northern Ireland it is: SEVERE
NOTE:
- CRITICAL means that a terrorist attack is imminent
- SEVERE means that a terrorist attack is highly likely
- SUBSTANTIAL that an attack is a strong possibility
- MODERATE that an attack is possible but unlikely
Everyone should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to the Police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline on: 0800 789 321
REPORT IT!
You may end up saving a life or lives… and there is nothing more rewarding than that…
The following telephone numbers may be useful:
Corps Security Central Support: 0141 847 2044
Specific advice on Counter-Terrorism matters: 020 7566 0516
Editor: Mike Bluestone MA CSyP FSyI
Corps Security has played an important part in the creation of the City Security Council (CSC), a collaborative partnership between City-based security companies and the City of London Police. The group will assist the Police and the City of London Corporation whenever there is a major incident, crises or significant event that takes place within the Square Mile.
