Authorities in the United Kingdom have implemented a series of security measures which include temporary road closures and extended airspace restrictions in advance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's scheduled visit.
The visit, hosted by King Charles III, is set to commence on March 18, with President Tinubu and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, arriving for a reception at Windsor Castle.
Thames Valley Police shared in a statement on their website that they are coordinating security protocols with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household, and other relevant partners in light of the upcoming visit.
The police confirmed that current airspace restrictions above Windsor Castle will be intensified on March 18, remaining in effect from 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. as part of the security plan.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall from the Joint Operations Unit remarked that these measures are integral to a broader security operation.
"The airspace restrictions are just one facet of our comprehensive security strategy for the state visit of President Tinubu next week, featuring many visible and many unseen security measures," Hall explained.
He emphasized that the police force has extensive experience managing security during royal events in Windsor and that considerable preparation has been devoted to ensuring safety during the visit.
Hall also noted that violating the flight restrictions would be regarded as a criminal offense.
"We will take a firm approach in enforcing these restrictions; anyone disregarding them will be violating the Air Navigation Order and may face arrest," he warned.
According to Hall, the security operation will consist of officers with specialized skills, including search teams, mounted police, road policing units, and armed officers, alongside local neighborhood policing teams.
"Numerous police officers with specialist skills will be deployed to Windsor, including our search teams, the Mounted Section, Roads Policing, and armed units, while our neighborhood and Project Servator resources will also be present to interact with the public," he stated.
Authorities also plan to leverage Windsor's closed-circuit television network along with additional security infrastructure to bolster the operation.
"We will utilize the extensive CCTV system in Windsor, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation barriers, and several other security tactics that may not be immediately apparent to ensure the event proceeds safely," Hall added.
He urged residents and visitors to remain observant and assist security efforts during the president's visit.
"The public plays a vital role in supporting us, and we encourage them to report any suspicious activity or anything unusual by dialing 101 or speaking to one of our officers. In case of an immediate threat or emergency, please call 999," he advised.
The police confirmed that road closures and parking restrictions would begin on March 17, potentially leading to temporary traffic delays in parts of Windsor.
Thames Valley Police also mentioned that they are collaborating with the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services to enforce the temporary air traffic restrictions during the state visit.
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