Police Scotland ramps up security for Donald Trump visit as road closures start to appear days before President arrives
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COPS are ramping up security at Donald Trump's golf courses days before the President is set to arrive in Scotland.
Mr Trump will visit both of his Scottish courses at Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire between July 25 and 29.
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Cops are ramping up security measures around Turnberry ahead of Donald Trump's visit
Credit: John Kirkby
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A ring of steel has been put up around the resort
Credit: John Kirkby
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There are now road closures and checkpoints around the course
Credit: John Kirkby
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The Republican chief is getting set to jet into Scotland for the first time in two years
Credit: PA
He will also open his second course at Menie named after his late mother Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis.
The President will also meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney.
Security measures are being ramped up by officers with road closures now being put in place in and around Turnberry.
Pictures show officers stopping cars and speaking to drivers outside the Ayrshire resort.
Several 'road closed' signs have been placed on the road, as well as checkpoints for 'authorised access'.
A new fence has also been put up alongside the resort on Maidens Road and the A77.
Cops were also spotted walking around the course yesterday.
It comes after fears that Mr Trump could be assassinated during his visit are being assessed by police and security services, a top cop representative revealed.
David Threadgold, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said there 'is a huge amount of threat assessment and intelligence gathering' taking place ahead of the US President arriving.
Protests are also expected to take place outside his golf courses.
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And Dalek-style lookouts have sprung up at Turnberry, in Ayrshire, and Menie, Aberdeenshire.
The bizarre-looking devices have cameras and motion sensors capable of detecting intruders.
Towers with thermal imaging cameras capable of detecting fires are also in place for the private trip.
A ring of steel is being teed up as the Republican chief gets set to jet into Scotland for the first time in two years.
We previously told how cops in marked and unmarked cars were spotted at Turnberry and white tents were also being set up.
A ban on unmanned aircraft, parachutes and drones is also in force at Balmedie.
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Pictures show officers stopping cars and speaking to drivers outside the Ayrshire resort
Credit: John Kirkby
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Police officers have been spotted in and around the course this week
Credit: John Kirkby
A senior police officer has urged those who wish to protest during to stay within the law, as she said the priority will be for the US President to have a "peaceful and safe" visit.
Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said the operation to police the five-day visit will involve "significant" resources, requiring Police Scotland to draw on mutual aid agreements with other forces.
Known as Operation Roll, it is expected to require Police Scotland's entire cadre of police liaison officers.
Speaking to journalists today, she encouraged protest groups to discuss their plans with police ahead of the visit.
She said: "As you can imagine, it is a large-scale, complex operation, but actually that's something that Police Scotland is immensely experienced at doing."
The policing plan involves local, national and specialist officers from Police Scotland as well as other forces.
She added: "The key very much is to make sure the President of the United States can come, enjoy a peaceful and safe visit to Scotland and ensure Police Scotland is able to maintain delivery of services to the rest of the community within Scotland over the period of his visit."
Police are working on the assumption there will be protests in Ayrshire, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, she said.
Ms Bond said Police Scotland will take a "proportionate" approach to ensure people can protest safely, with the force offering to engage with demonstrators ahead of time on a "no surprises" basis.
However she said there is nothing at this stage to give her "specific concern" about violence.
We previously told how Police Scotland is facing legal action from its own officers in a row over overtime payments and lieu ahead of Donald Trump's visit.
The Scottish Police Federation said the force promised to 'provide minimum standards of health and safety at work' during the visit.
And fed General Secretary David Kennedy said the dispute relates the absence of a proper workforce plan for the visit.
He said: 'Sadly, we have seen these agreements breached in the days leading to the arrival of POTUS and as such we are seeking legal advice regarding potential legal action against the service.'
Speaking to the PA news agency, Ms Bond also said that concerns raised by the Scottish Police Federation are "being resolved".
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