Six months after Donald Trump's visit to Windsor in the autumn, Thames Valley Police remains out of pocket by £900,000 for the security operation it mounted during the US President's meeting with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The force's Conservative police and crime commissioner, Matthew Barber, has criticised the ongoing delay in receiving reimbursement from the Home Office.
"It's not fair on taxpayers in the Thames Valley, whether they're from Windsor or they're in Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire," he said.
"The loss of nearly £1m to local policing matters to everybody in the long run."
The force was unable to reclaim costs for police time as the local constabulary was responsible for the area.
Six months after Donald Trump's visit to Windsor in the autumn, Thames Valley Police remains out of pocket by £900,000 for the security operation it mounted during the US President's meeting with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
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Nevertheless, the government's recent confirmation that it will reimburse the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead £350,000 for expenses incurred during the Trump visit has sparked optimism that the police force may also recover its funds.
The council had previously warned it might withdraw support for an upcoming visit by the Nigerian President scheduled for later this month.
Following the reimbursement announcement, the borough has confirmed it will proceed with staffing the event as planned.
Lynne Jones, the council's deputy leader, said: "It has taken several months of negotiations and I absolutely welcome this news. It's good for the borough and it's good for the borough's residents."
The force was unable to reclaim costs for police time as the local constabulary was responsible for the area.
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Mr Barber expressed satisfaction at the council's successful claim, viewing it as an encouraging development for his own efforts to secure reimbursement.
"I'm really pleased for the Royal Borough that they are getting their money back," he said.
"I do think that this is a sign that there may be some movement from the government."
The commissioner pledged to continue lobbying the Home Office on behalf of residents across the Thames Valley region.
"We will keep the pressure up on the Home Office because it's not fair for taxpayers in the Thames Valley," he added.
The Home Office has indicated that Thames Valley Police will receive funding for additional costs associated with the state visit, with reimbursement to be processed through standard major event procedures.
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The force is also awaiting reimbursement for policing visits by the French and German presidents.
The Home Office has indicated that Thames Valley Police will receive funding for additional costs associated with the state visit, with reimbursement to be processed through standard major event procedures.
The department also confirmed it would refund expenses the force incurred during previous state visits to Windsor.
Looking ahead, the Home Office stated that Thames Valley Police will receive funding to cover additional costs linked to the forthcoming state visit by the President of Nigeria.
This commitment suggests the government is taking steps to address the financial burden placed on local forces responsible for hosting high-profile diplomatic events at Windsor.
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