Second man arrested for flying drone over Windsor ahead of Trump state visit

A second man was arrested on suspicion of flying a drone over the Windsor area on Tuesday as police implemented temporary air restrictions and prepared for large-scale protests during US President Donald Trump's state visit.

Thames Valley Police said a 37-year-old man from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was taken into custody after being stopped in the village of Datchet, near Windsor Castle. The arrest came hours after a separate 37-year-old man from Brentford, west London, was detained on suspicion of flying a drone over Windsor Great Park.

President Trump and his wife, Melania, are due to arrive in London late on Tuesday and will spend two days being hosted by the King at Windsor Castle and by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the Chequers country residence. The visit, described by officials as primarily private, has nevertheless prompted a significant security operation and restrictions on aircraft and drones in the area.

Thames Valley Police said the temporary measures form part of "a massive" safety operation for the president's short stay. Officers from forces across the UK have been drafted in, with non-Thames Valley personnel expected to make up about two-thirds of the deployed officers. Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt, who is leading the local operation, said he had "planned for just about every foreseeable eventuality" and described the threat level as "very high," while also saying an attack on a Trump supporter in Utah did not require further tightening of security in the UK.

In central London, the Metropolitan Police have prepared for a mass protest expected to involve about 50 groups, with around 1,600 officers, largely from the Met, allocated to the operation. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Louise Puddefoot, who is in charge of the Met's public order policing this week, said: "Around 50 protest groups are expected to gather together in central London on Wednesday, on what will be another busy day for officers." She said the force had been in close contact with organisers, local businesses and community representatives and would police "without fear or favour."

A number of road closures will be in place to facilitate a march to Parliament Square, scheduled to take place roughly between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Protesters are expected to include supporters of the Stop Trump Coalition. Campaigner Zoe Gardner told ITV's Good Morning Britain that the visit was "shameful and humiliating for the UK," saying: "There is an enormous line between a relationship and diplomacy with the United States, and letting this toddler come here and use our country as a theme park and honouring him with a red carpet and a banquet with the King."

Thames Valley Police reiterated that it respected the public's right to lawful protest and was committed to facilitating peaceful demonstrations while minimising disruption. Policing measures include crowd barriers, specialist officers and temporary airspace restrictions. Newly appointed policing minister Sarah Jones praised the officers involved at the Police Superintendents' Association conference, saying policing expertise and technology were being used to ensure the president's visit "goes as smoothly as possible."

Authorities have not released further details about the drone incidents or whether the arrests will lead to charges. Investigations into both incidents remain ongoing as security operations continue across Windsor and central London.