US Vice President JD Vance poses for {a photograph} with U.S. troops and households throughout a go to to RAF Fairford on August 13, 2025 in Fairford, England.
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U.S. Vice-President JD Vance’s summer season journey to the quintessentially British spot the Cotswolds has been closely criticized by some locals — not least due to heightened safety measures, together with police roadblocks and verify factors.
Earlier this week, Vance visited the world as a part of a working vacation, which has additionally included conferences with varied U.Ok. political leaders, resembling Overseas Minister David Lammy.
Thames Valley Police have been “supporting the US through the Vice President’s go to to our space to make sure the security of all concerned. A restricted entry space has been put in place in a small a part of Dean as a part of our operation,” a spokesperson stated in a press release shared with CNBC.
A police highway block is in operation, filtering entry to the village of Dean, three miles north of Charlbury, west of London on August 12, 2025, because the US Vice President JD Vance takes his trip within the English countryside.
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Footage shared on-line additionally appeared to point out that roads had been cleared to permit for the passage of Vance’s giant motorcade, with a U.Ok. police escort accompanying the convoy.
The automobiles appear to have been flown throughout the Atlantic for Vance’s go to, which is widespread for the U.S. administration in accordance with media reviews.
A motorcade leaves Prestwick Airport after U.S. Vice President JD Vance landed with the Air Drive 2 on August 13, 2025 in Prestwick, Scotland.
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Cops safe ‘Spotters Mound’ the place folks watched the touchdown of Air Drive Two carrying US Vice President JD Vance at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Scotland on August 13, 2025.
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Because the U.S. vice chairman’s journey continued into Scotland, police have been as soon as extra current — this time watching out for individuals who had gathered to witness Vance contact down. An intensive motorcade additionally waited for the U.S. official and his household on the runway.
Whereas heightened safety is widespread when prime world officers journey, the measures reportedly carried out within the Cotswolds on this event have drawn extra consideration. Claims have emerged on social media that residents have been requested for his or her social media accounts and had to supply the names of everybody of their households.
Native police denied the claims, which CNBC couldn’t independently confirm.
“No officers have been instructed to ask residents about their social media accounts or use, and now we have acquired no complaints concerning this,” a spokesperson for Thames Valley Police stated in an up to date assertion on Thursday.
“To scale back native impression attributable to short-term highway restrictions through the go to, we held transient courtesy conversations with residents to know their entry wants and facilitate protected motion. It was made clear that participation was totally voluntary and that responses wouldn’t be shared exterior the police drive,” they added.
Vance’s go to to the Cotswolds additionally gave locals the chance to have fun — by means of a so-called ‘Vance not welcome social gathering.’ A spokesperson for the Cease Trump Coalition, which organized the protest, advised CNBC on Wednesday that the gathering of round 80 folks — largely locals — was “joyous,” with a “fantastic” environment.
Protestors have been seen holding banners and placards expressing their frustration about Vance and the broader U.S. administration, in addition to mocking the vice chairman. A meme depicting Vance as bald was additionally included extensively, having been printed on balloons and even on a billboard in a close-by city.
Attendees pose with placards at a “Vance not welcome social gathering”.
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The Cotswolds area is widespread amongst politicians and celebrities, with many seemingly drawn to the picturesque panorama for its privateness. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron is a resident, together with varied TV personalities, actors and musicians are residents.
Earlier this 12 months, former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris was additionally noticed visiting the area, accompanied by secret service brokers, as she attended the marriage of the late Apple Co-Founder Steve Jobs’ daughter.
However not all locals see the curiosity of their house area as a constructive. Native information has repeatedly reported issues about overdevelopment, elevated demand for housing and added stress on infrastructure.