LONDON, Nov 16: Amid fears of a terrorist attack and with huge anti-war protests planned, Britain is mounting an unprecedented security operation for US President George W. Bush’s upcoming state visit to London.

Some 5,000 police officers are being deployed, all police leave has been cancelled, and London is on high alert as the authorities pore over their tactics for the president’s stay from Tuesday to Friday.

“We have to accept the circumstances around the event next week are unprecedented,” said Sir John Stevens, head of London’s Metropolitan Police.

“The security is unprecedented because one, the level of terrorism threat and two, the nature of the president’s visit.”

Asked if he was confident that Bush’s trip would run without a hitch, Stevens simply replied: “I hope so.”

“We will be using a whole range of tactics to deal with all possible threats,” including the deployment of an unspecified number of armed police units, said Steven’s deputy Andy Trotter. Bush is expected to travel by helicopter where possible, and police marksmen are to be strategically posted on tall buildings.—AFP