D-Day 75: Cost of policing Southsea Common event with Donald Trump, Theresa May and the Queen revealed as £3m

Southsea Common was turned into a security zone during the major commemorations last June with the Queen, American president Donald Trump and Theresa May attending.

TV cameras beamed the commemoration around the globe, marking the efforts of D-Day veterans involved in the Normandy Landings, which started what would become the last phase of the Second World War.

For more than a year The News has asked authorities how much the police operation cost.

Today Hampshire police confirmed it forked out £452,158 of the overall £3,014,388 cost. The Home Office paid £2,562,230.

Assistant Chief Constable David Hardcastle, who led policing on the day having been in charge of a car park at D-Day 50, said: ‘Hampshire Constabulary was incredibly proud to play a part in honouring our veterans who made great sacrifices for us all.

‘We worked hard with our partners, the event organisers, local businesses and the community to help ensure it was a safe and successful event for everyone.

‘The operation was among the largest in Hampshire Constabulary’s history and we deployed many different security tactics in and around the city to ensure the safety of all.

‘This was achieved, which ensured the veterans remained at the heart of the very poignant commemorations.’

Secret Service agents guarded sections of the common as a high metal fence with airport-style security created a secure zone.

Police firearms units were stationed on watchtowers with uniformed officers patrolling the wider Southsea area for weeks ahead of the commemoration on June 5.

Boat units guarded the Solent off the coast of Portsmouth, ready to combat any marine threat.

Officers from forces across the country were called in to boost numbers.

Hampshire Police Federation chairman Alex Charge represents rank-and-file officers in the county.

He said: ‘It’s one of those once in a lifetime operations that officers will look back on and be proud to have been involved in.

'It puts Hampshire officers not only on the national stage but on the world stage.’

Portsmouth veteran John Jenkins, who died aged 100 in December, took centre stage and earned a standing ovation from world leaders after he spoke at the occasion.

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