Nato security challenge 'bigger than Olympics' says police chief

The man in charge of policing the Nato summit has said the security operation will be a bigger challenge than the London 2012 Olympics.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Armitt said the number of delegates, including President Obama, and protection they need was "unprecedented" in Britain.

His team has studied previous summits to prepare for the possible challenge of protestors.

There are 100 days to go until the summit at Celtic Manor in Newport.

ACC Armitt told BBC Wales: "We are signatories to international treaties that require us to provide armed protection for certain dignitaries from visiting countries.

"It's fair to say that from the nature of this event and the diplomats that are attending, then we are probably breaking new ground for the UK in terms of the number of people who fall into that category."

Leaders from around 60 countries are expected to attend the summer in September

People affiliated with the Anarchist Action Network have said the group is planning a large-scale demonstration through the city in the days before the event in September.

The network has already started staging smaller events and is holding a week of discussions on topics including nuclear disarmament, workers rights and lessons on basic first aid.

Around 4,000 people are expected to descend on Newport during the summit on 4 and 5 September.

The last time Britain hosted the Nato summit was 24 years ago in London. The event in Wales will also mark the 65th anniversary of Nato.