Sharp lookout

PRESIDENT George W Bush’s every movement is being monitored from a high-tech command centre in Scotland Yard.

Up to 100 officers at a time man the windowless control room in the bowels of Metropolitan Police headquarters.

They have access to live feeds from more than 600 cameras around the capital which appear on a bank of 20 monitors along one wall.

Commander Mike Messinger designated the chief or "gold" officer for the operation sits in front of the screens surrounded by a team of tactical advisers.

He is in constant radio communication with senior officers on the ground.

Areas where President Bush is staying or travelling through have been divided up into more than half-a-dozen sectors.

A special team sitting at semi-circular green metallic computer stations has been assigned to co-ordinate the security operation in each sector.