Protective Security Arrangements
The Protocol Protective Security and Arrival & Departures Team (PSAD) in Protocol Directorate, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is the first point of contact for all security matters relating to an inward VIP visit, including requests for protective security arrangements.
Requests for protective security should be submitted by Note Verbale to PSAD (VIParrivals.departures@fcdo.gov.uk).
The Note Verbale should include details of the VIP visitor’s programme (or an outline programme, if meetings are still to be confirmed), their arrival/ departure details and confirmation of their accommodation. It is important that Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations give as much information as possible in good time. Missions should also provide details of any officials and security officers accompanying the VIP visitor.
Requests for protective security should be submitted at the earliest opportunity, and no later than 10 days before the VIP visitor’s arrival. There are no guarantees that protective security arrangements can be formulated for requests submitted outside these timescales.
Should the United Kingdom agree to provide police protective security arrangements, the Metropolitan Police Service would expect any security/protection officers accompanying their VIP to operate in a liaison role under the direction of the Metropolitan Police Service.