Oscars 'ring of steel' over protest fears

BEFORE gold statuettes are handed out inside, police will throw a "ring of steel" around tonight's Oscars ceremony - to thwart an expected mass protest.

- Mike Parke

More than a mile of 8ft-high chain-link fencing and scores of barriers will surround LA's Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, where more than 500 uniformed officers will be supported by 2,000 private security guards.

FBI counter-terrorism experts will be on standby as parts of Hollywood Boulevard are closed to the public, with scores of CCTV cameras and surveillance drones scouring the area.

Police Commander Randy Goddard, who is leading the biggest security operation in the history of the Academy Awards, said his officers will maintain a high-profile presence.