POLICE are preparing for the “biggest mobilisation on officers in the UK’ in Glasgow later this year.

The operation to police the United Nations Climate Change COP 26 Summit at the Scottish Events Campus SEC on the banks of the River Clyde is anticipated to cost hundreds of millions of pounds.

In November this up to 90,000 people are expected to attend or be in the city for the summit.

Every head of state represented in the United Nations will be invited and it is expected that many of the 192 will turn up, requiring the highest level of security.

At a previous COP in Paris in 2015, US President Barack Obama and Russian President, Vladimir Putin, attended.

The UK Government, who are the hosts, has said it will meet the security costs of the event which is expected to run for two weeks.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said this must be honoured.

READ MORE: Security at Glasgow COP26 climate change event 'could cost several hundred million pounds'

She said: “The UK Government has committed to meeting the policing and other costs and it’s important that they honour that commitment in full, and the Scottish Government will be looking forward to productive discussions to make sure that’s the case.

“It’s right and proper as they are the host and a commitment was given to cover costs.

“Obviously there will be discussions about the quantum of those costs but it is important that that commitment is honoured.”

Meanwhile a trade union representing thousands of Glasgow public sector workers said the event should be cancelled and held somewhere else instead.

Gary Smith, GMB Scotland Secretary, said: “The prospect of hundreds of millions of pounds of public money spent on policing costs alone will sicken frontline council staff and struggling local communities.

“The best thing government could do for Glasgow is to ditch hosting the COP and instead invest the money in dealing with the state of the city.”

A  spokesman for Glasgow City Council, said: “Climate change is the biggest issue of our times and any suggestion it should not be considered a priority is extraordinary.

“The simple fact is that COP is of huge significance, both locally and globally.  Hosting the event presents major opportunities for Glasgow, its communities and the local economy.”

Police Scotland has begun preparations for the event setting up a Strategic Oversight Board led by the Chief Constable and an operational board comprising the Scottish Government, Scotland Office, Foreign Office, Home Office and the UK Treasury is meeting on a monthly basis to review plans.

Police said the aims are to maximise the security of the world leaders and delegates and the wider public.

With more than 100 world leaders expected in the city it is anticipated there will be protests on a range of issues most notably climate change.

The policing strategy also states it aims to “provide a lawful and proportionate policing response to any protest balancing the needs and rights of attendees and protesters.”

The SEC including the Exhibition Centre, Armadillo and Hydro and surrounding grounds will be handed over the UN for the duration of the conference which is from Monday November 9th to Friday 20th. During that time it will become international territory and be subject to international law.