Worry over cost of event policing

The cost of a police officer can reach £59 an hour

Policing major events in Lincolnshire costs organisers about £750,000 annually, Freedom of Information figures reveal.

Lincoln Cycling Grand Prix, which paid £10,000, said the cost was "an enormous amount" for a small group to absorb.

But the annual Lincolnshire Show has not been charged the estimated £97,000 in return for allowing use of the showground for dog training.

Lincolnshire Police said budget demands had forced them to introduce charges.

A police statement said a recommendation from the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary said forces should charge for the cost of extra policing of special events and issued a set of guidelines.

Under national guidelines, those costs must be charged to the event organisers Lincolnshire Police

Under the guidelines, charities are only liable for 50% of the costs.

The force said it had an arrangement with the Lincolnshire Show to use the showground for their dog training facility after a noise abatement order was made by neighbours of the old facility.

Show organisers, the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, said they have been informed they will have to meet the policing costs of next year's show and negotiations will take place at a later date.

Organisers of Waddington Airshow paid almost £100,000 for policing, while Spalding Flower Parade paid £52,000 and Lincoln Christmas Market paid £55,000.

A police spokesman said: "The nature of the event dictates the level of commitment for policing that specific event.

"Where normal policing time is lost, or where officers have to be brought in on overtime because of the event, under the national guidelines, those costs must be charged to the event organisers."

The cost of a police officer can reach £59 an hour, which includes a charge for the cost of using vehicles and equipment.