The security operation around last week’s Bilderberg Group meeting at The Grove hotel in Watford involved officers and equipment from a dozen forces.

As well as Hertfordshire’s own officers, police from the neighbouring force areas of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Thames Valley and the Metropolitan Police were present.

However, the nature of the security operation meant police had to be drafted in from as far afield as South Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Surrey and Sussex.

Also present were British Transport Police and the City of London force.

On Saturday - the busiest day with speakers Alex Jones and David Icke addressing the crowd - the protest area of The Grove was packed to capacity with 2012 people present.

Despite the crowds the three-day event saw just two arrests - one for drunk and disorderly behaviour and another for breaching the terms of the road restrictions around the venue - and is being hailed a success by the organisers and police alike.

Assistant Chief Constable Alison Roome-Gifford, who was the lead officer for the operation, said: "Between Wednesday June 5 and Sunday, June 9 Hertfordshire Constabulary oversaw the very successful policing of the Bilderberg conference.

"The policing operation was designed and planned with the strategic intention to strike a balance between the rights of the public to hold peaceful protest, the safety and security of the conference and its delegates together with the right of the local community to go about their lawful business.

"Along with all other police forces in the country Hertfordshire Constabulary has a core policing duty to prevent crime, maintain the Queen’s Peace, protect the public and prevent damage to property."