HMS Duncan arrived at Cardiff Bay and will be joined by other Nato warships to support officers throughout summit


Thousands of police officers armed with guns have swarmed the streets of Cardiff ahead of the Nato summit as almost 10,000 officers gear up to police event.

World leaders including Barack Obama and Angela Merkel will arrive in the city for working dinners after attending the main event at Celtic Manor in Newport on Thursday.

Officers drafted in from across the country wear light blue caps, which are said to symbolise that they are part of the same team, as they patrol the 10 miles of security fencing dubbed ‘the ring of steel’.

Thousands of officers have been drafted in from across the UK and swarmed the streets of Cardiff and Newport ahead of two-day Nato summit which starts on Thursday

An armed police officer, pictured in a light blue cap that all officers are being asked to wear to symbolise they are working as a team, patrols the streets of Cardiff

Armed police officers from City of London force on duty in St. Mary Street with their Ford Armoured vehicle speak to residents as they prepare for the huge policing event

Preparations for the event, which will host more than 60 delegates from 28 countries, began months in advance when the nine feet high fencing was erected.

And the two-day event is said to be the first time a serving US president will visit Wales.

Supporting police is HMS Duncan which arrived at Cardiff Bay today and is expected to be joined by five other Nato warships ahead of the event.

And police were out in force at the weekend when protestors from Stop Nato Cymru hoisted flags and banners onto the security fence near Cardiff Castle.

Police officers on a boat at Cardiff Bay as Type 45 Royal Navy vessel HMS Duncan pulls into the dock. It will be joined by five other Nato warships before Thursday

Crowds watch as HMS Duncan, which was named after Viscount Duncan of Hamperdown, arrived at Cardiff Bay today and will support officers in their duty in Wales

A gunner aboard the warship smiles at the camera as the vessel pulls into the bay while residents watch as the action unfolds from their balconies in Cardiff today

Eight miles of security fencing surrounds the Newport resort and three miles in and around Cardiff city centre (pictured) which people have dubbed it the 'ring of steel'

The police presence in the city has been increased ahead of the summit which will host more than 60 delegates from 28 countries and thousands of support staff

Preparations began months ago with security fences being erected and plans being put into place by the Government and the police force tasked with patrolling event

People pass through a pedestrian gate that has been installed in the security fence, which is likely to cause traffic chaos when event begins on Thursday, September 4

The security fencing and police presence is said to have left the city resembling a high security prison and unhappy residents have taken to Twitter to vent their anger

The 30 members attempted to climb the structure and blasted music from speakers but were outnumbered by officers by almost two to one.

Not everyone is said to be happy about the increased police presence and with people living in Cardiff taking to Twitter to express their annoyance.

Sports therapy student Alex Conroy said: ‘Cardiff is currently like living in a prison community, police and helicopters everywhere.’

Nessaatsix said: ‘The huge police presence in Cardiff right now is actually pretty intimidating. Especially the ones carrying those huge guns.’

However, user Alice Roythorne defended the force, tweeting: ‘So many people moaning about the police in Cardiff. Lots of them in the Bay, all friendly, chatty, just doing their job.’

British police motorcyclists patrol the perimeter of the Celtic Manor resort in Newport ahead of the two-day event, and will be aided by police on foot and horseback

Police drive round in high security vans (left) as well as keeping lookout from above (right, an officer stands guard from a turret at Cardiff castle)

The summit is due to begin on Thursday when David Cameron will officially welcome heads of state and the Government at the Celtic Manor resort in Newport (above)

The summit opens on Thursday when David Cameron will officially welcome heads of state and the Government.

The first meeting will be held at 1pm where members will discuss Afghanistan followed by a meeting of the Nato-Ukraine Commission at about 5pm.

Members will then attend a working dinner in Cardiff to round off the first day.

Police are also preparing for a second round of demonstrations from protestors on this day too.

With world leaders like Barack Obama - the first serving US president to visit Wales - among those visiting the country, police have upped the number of officers on patrol

Police with guns are a visible sight on the streets ahead of the event which the Government says will be three military bands performing, 800 staff from Celtic Manor working and 157 Royal Mint commemorative pieces struck and given to world leaders and Newport schools

With almost 10,000 officers being drafted in the cost of security for the event is not yet known but is expected to be revealed by the government after the event is over

Newport City Council is encouraging people to plan their travel, noting that the main pinch points will be around the rush hours on Thursday evening and Friday morning

On Friday there will be two sessions of the North Atlantic Council, while Nato Defence and Foreign Ministers will hold parallel meetings.

The Government released figures yesterday which predict that 15,000 meals will be served to delegates, media and production crew over the two days while an estimated 12,500 litres of water will be drunk.

They say there will be three military bands performing, 800 staff from Celtic Manor working and 157 Royal Mint commemorative pieces struck and given to world leaders and Newport schools.

The costs for security at the event is not yet know and is expected to be published by the Government after the event.

According to Gwent Police the bill will be met by Nato and No.10 Downing Street.

Police were out in force at the weekend when protestors from Stop Nato Cymru hoisted flags and banners onto the gates of Tredgar Park where they are camping

The peace camp where protestors have set up tents is close to the Celtic Manor resort, where heads of state will arrive for the Nato conference in less than 48 hours