VIP protected by hundreds of agents

Barack Obama’s visit to the UK represents one of the biggest security operations ever seen in this country.

After flying into Stansted airport ahead of schedule on Monday night to avoid the possibility of disruption to air travel from the ash cloud from an erupting Icelandic volcano, his motorcade swept into the US ambassador’s residence in London, Winfield House in Regent’s Park. The security around Winfield House was very visible, with a huge police and secret service presence.

When the President and Michelle Obama, the First Lady, arrived they were be accompanied by an army of hundreds of staff and more than 200 elite – and heavily armed – Security Service agents.

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Secret Service advance parties have already made several visits to Britain, with agents liaising with Scotland Yard officers and other security officials.

The President’s armoured limousine – one of a fleet of identical Cadillacs all nicknamed “The Beast” – is 18ft long and needs a 6.5 litre diesel engine to allow it to reach its top speed of 60mph in 15 seconds.

The reinforced armour plating is a combination of steel, aluminium and titanium that is said to protect against bullets, chemical attack and a missile strike.

However, one was apparently defeated by a speed bump in Dublin on Monday when it became stuck and had to be abandoned.