Trump’s UK visit – tooled-up gun cops show off arsenal of weapons as they patrol
TOOLED-up cops showed off their arsenal of weapons as they patrolled the airport where Donald Trump touched down on UK soil today.
Armed officers strode over the tarmac at Stansted Airport this afternoon wearing bulletproof vests and carrying pistols.
They are the specially trained firearms officers tasked with helping to keep the US president safe on his first official visit to the UK.
Trump will be flanked at all times by security detail from the US and the UK, as he travels around the country.
Each cop from this unit has two guns and a taser, with extra ammunition and a first aid kit.
They were seen wearing the same blue uniform - dripping with weapons - including a Glock self-loading pistol and an air rifle.
Every officer carries a SIG MCX Carbine assault rifle, which have a 16 inch barrel, a short-stroke gas piston system and are made to be light to carry.
And the Glock weapon has a range of 50 metres, though is most effective at 10 to 25 metres.
Every police force in the country has provided officers for the intricate security operation, which is costing £30million.
Officers drafted in to help protect the president today complained at the accommodation they have been offered.
The chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation, John Apter, shared photos of camp beds crammed into a gym - where dozens of officers are expected to sleep.
He wrote on Twitter: "Prisoners arrested last night will have had better accommodation than those police officers ensuring the Presidential visit runs smoothly.
"Police Chiefs who talk well-being of their people need to take a long hard look at this. This is not acceptable."
The massive security operation includes rooftop snipers, undercover Secret Service agents and elite SAS soldiers, as well as a number of British cops drafted in from forces all over the UK.
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An extra fleet of US cars and aircraft arrived in Scotland ahead of his visit, and are ready to jump into action when the president visits his Scottish golf course at the weekend.
While on the ground Trump will use his private armoured limousine, dubbed "The Beast", which travels everywhere with him.
The £1.2million Cadillac weighs eight tonnes, is bulletproof and able to survive a direct rocket or chemical warfare attack.
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