Americans in the UK have been warned to “keep a low profile” during this week’s visit of their president, Donald Trump, as the US embassy in London says demonstrations against the event could turn violent.



On Tuesday, officials said the demonstrations would probably be focused on the centre of the UK capital, despite the fact that Trump is spending only a short time there, but added others had also been planned over the three days from Wednesday.

“Be aware of your surroundings [and] exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings that may become violent,” the US embassy warned.

US officials in London added that, besides keeping their heads down, people should also keep an eye on local media and heed any police advice. “Several of the events are expected to attract large crowds and there will be road closures in connection with those events,” they said.

Other planned demonstrations on Thursday include one near Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, where Trump will attend a black-tie dinner, and another near the US ambassador’s residence in London, where Trump and his wife Melania will stay overnight and where a high metal fence has been erected. Gatherings are also due to take place in Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds, Cambridge and Cardiff on Thursday evening.

Protesters have been invited to go to Chequers, where Trump and the prime minister, Theresa May, plan to hold a working lunch, while organisers said protesters were due to travel to London for a rally at Trafalgar Square on Friday. With Trump planning to travel to Scotland on Friday evening after meeting the Queen at Windsor Castle, a rally is also planned for Glasgow’s George Square.

A further protest will be held outside the US president’s Scottish golf courses on Saturday, while a national demonstration is planned at the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh the same day.