Thames Valley Police has formally demanded £900,000 from the UK government in a contentious dispute over policing costs incurred during Donald Trump's state visit to Windsor Castle. The force's police and crime commissioner, Matthew Barber, has revealed that the Home Office has refused to reimburse officers' time dedicated to the high-security event, creating a significant financial shortfall.
Security Demands and Officer Redeployment
Former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were hosted by King Charles for a two-day state visit at Windsor Castle in September. Thames Valley Police, responsible for policing the event, had to redeploy officers from across the entire region to meet the complex security requirements. This large-scale operation involved pulling officers away from their regular duties, creating substantial additional costs for the force.
Dispute Over Reimbursement
Matthew Barber expressed deep disappointment at the government's refusal to repay these costs, noting he has been attempting to recover the money for several months. He stated that Thames Valley Police has been 'short changed' by more than £900,000. The Home Office insists the force will receive 'reimbursement for their additional costs' through standard major event procedures, but there is a fundamental disagreement about whether this should include payment for officers' time.
This controversy emerges just after the government agreed to reimburse the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead approximately £350,000 for costs related to hosting recent state visits. The council had previously threatened to withdraw support for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's state visit earlier this month until the government relented and paid the outstanding amount.
Growing Concern Over Future Visits
Mr Barber raised concerns about the financial implications of future state visits, particularly as Windsor Castle is likely to host more such events while Buckingham Palace undergoes refurbishment. He argued that policing costs for nationally significant state visits should not burden local taxpayers when officers are taken away from their normal duties.
'We know that state visits at Windsor are likely to continue to increase whilst Buckingham Palace undergoes refurbishment,' Barber told the BBC. '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.'
Contradictory Treatment
The police commissioner argued that the government's refusal to pay Thames Valley Police for officers' time appears 'in contradiction' to their treatment of the local council. While the Foreign Office typically covers most state visit expenses like accommodation, transport, and meals for visiting delegations, local authorities generally fund road closures and stewarding.
Deputy leader of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, Lynne Jones, expressed satisfaction with their reimbursement outcome earlier this month, stating she was 'really pleased' with the resolution.
Government Response
A Home Office spokesperson maintained that established arrangements ensure state visits proceed safely while regular policing continues across communities. '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 spokesperson said.
'Thames Valley Police will receive reimbursement for their additional costs linked to state visits and these will be recovered through standard major event procedures.'
Despite this assurance, Thames Valley Police will only receive funding for some additional expenses under national arrangements, leaving the £900,000 dispute over officers' time unresolved. The force continues to press for full reimbursement as tensions between local policing authorities and central government funding mechanisms intensify.
