The security operation for Michelle Obama’s visit had Oxford enveloped in stringent security measures.
The security operation for Michelle Obama’s visit had Oxford enveloped in stringent security measures. The First Lady’s security entourage included a number of black-suited bodyguards and a cordon of six black four-by-fours as she rolled out of Christ Church college at approximately 4 pm. Background checks were administered by the White House of any one that the First Lady may potentially encounter. Security agents were sighted patrolling Christ Church and the city weeks in advance. Members of the college were sent an email from the Dean stating, “visitors will not be allowed access [to the college] even if accompanied by a member of the White House”. Bag searches and security arches were also stationed at college entrances whilst gates and quads were closed off completely at various times. A spokesperson from the Thames Valley Police said that the visit was a unique and highly important operation for them. “All operations for us are of the utmost importance, although the scale of cooperation involved with the visit of Mrs Obama is certainly unique”. He added that Thames Valley Police were “working in close tandem with Mrs Obama’s security from the White House and everybody at the university from the top down”. A university spokesperson stated that Oxford had “cooperated closely with the White House and Thames Valley Police on security [but] for obvious reasons [it could not] go into any details.”
The First Lady’s security entourage included a number of black-suited bodyguards and a cordon of six black four-by-fours as she rolled out of Christ Church college at approximately 4 pm.
Background checks were administered by the White House of any one that the First Lady may potentially encounter. Security agents were sighted patrolling Christ Church and the city weeks in advance. Members of the college were sent an email from the Dean stating, “visitors will not be allowed access [to the college] even if accompanied by a member of the White House”.
Bag searches and security arches were also stationed at college entrances whilst gates and quads were closed off completely at various times.
A spokesperson from the Thames Valley Police said that the visit was a unique and highly important operation for them. “All operations for us are of the utmost importance, although the scale of cooperation involved with the visit of Mrs Obama is certainly unique”.
He added that Thames Valley Police were “working in close tandem with Mrs Obama’s security from the White House and everybody at the university from the top down”.
A university spokesperson stated that Oxford had “cooperated closely with the White House and Thames Valley Police on security [but] for obvious reasons [it could not] go into any details.”
