The latest costs incurred policing protests in Kirby Misperton have been published.
The additional costs of the policing operation have amounted to:
- £80,238 up to 31 August 2017
- £101,476 in September 2017
- £233,704 in October 2017
- £147,881 in November 2017
- £58,488 in December 2017
These figures include overtime, mutual aid, equipment, subsistence, travel-related costs etc. It does not include the cost of those officers that are assigned to policing the site on a day-to-day basis.
On many days in December, the majority of police officers due to attend Kirby Misperton were redeployed to policing duties elsewhere, due to the largely safe and peaceful nature of protest activity.
Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire said: “Costs were down in December, which is welcome, but there was little activity on the site so this was to be expected. I continue to keep a close eye on this operation and the cost to the North Yorkshire taxpayer. Most importantly, whilst communities across North Yorkshire expect some impact to policing in their area as a result, that needs to continue to be kept to an absolute minimum.
“I will also continue to engage central government on this issue. Whilst maintaining my neutrality, I am concerned delays in processes in Westminster will have knock-on consequences here in North Yorkshire, and will be reminding Ministers of my concerns.”
Superintendent Alisdair Dey, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “We are balancing the needs and wishes of everyone at Kirby Misperton — including people assembling and protesting peacefully, businesses carrying out their lawful activity, and local residents going about their daily lives safely and without disruption.
“We respond proportionately to any protest activity, so that means when it is peaceful and safe, we can reduce the number of officers at Kirby Misperton, and redeploy them to policing duties elsewhere in North Yorkshire, as we have done throughout December.”
The policing operation in Kirby Misperton will remain a standing item on the Public Accountability Meeting agenda until further notice, which can be viewed live or following the meeting on our Public Accountability Meeting page.