LANCASHIRE Police has sent 130 officers to help with security during Donald Trump’s controversial visit to the UK today.

President Trump is expected to visit locations including Chequers, Windsor Castle, the US ambassador’s official residence in Regent’s Park, London, and Scotland.

With thousands set to take to the streets to protest Mr Trump’s inaugural visit to the UK as president, officers from Lancashire have been drafted in to cover protests in Scotland and London.

The decision to draft in officers from the region has been criticised by Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, who said the force has no bodies to spare.

Citing that Lancashire has lost lost 800 officers and 400 other staff since 2010 due to budget cuts, Mr Jones said: “I am appalled at the level of police cuts. Officers have to police demonstrations but there simply aren’t the resources to do that. Lancashire constituents will now see an even greater reduction in police numbers in order to police these protests.”

Asked for his thoughts on Mr Trump’s visit, Mr Jones added: “I am a progressive and believe in talking to people - even the people you disagree with. We are democrats and there are people in various countries who we don’t agree with. But we have to be on the right side of democracy.”

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has criticised protesters and said the Lancashire force should be reimbursed for sending officers to police them. He welcomed Mr Trump’s visit saying that a stronger relationship with the United States will be crucial after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Evans said: “Like we see with the ongoing fracking protests in Little Plumpton, policing these protests is very expensive but it has to be paid for. I would question how effective these protests really are. If officers are being brought in from Lancashire to help police these protests then we should be reimbursed by London and Scotland.”

On Mr Trump’s visit, the MP said: “Even if people don’t like the man they should respect the office. Britain isn’t the only offer on the table. President Trump went to France a few weeks ago they rolled out the red carpet and the relationship between the two countries is now much stronger.”

A police spokesman said: “Police forces are working together on a significant security operation supporting the presidential visit to the UK. All police forces in England and Wales are providing officers and resources to assist with the operations in areas hosting the visit.”

“In Lancashire we are working to balance support for the presidential visit with responding to calls for help from the public and minimising the impact on policing our communities in what remains an extremely busy period.”