Bill for police at fracking protest? £200,000 a month

Taxpayers are forking out £200,000 a month to police a handful of activists at Britain’s first commercial fracking site.

Officers on duty at Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire often outnumber activists, many of whom are law-abiding local residents and pensioners.

Police presence has been stepped up as exploration company Third Energy is due to start fracking within weeks.

Up to 50 officers a day have been drafted in, yet yesterday there were only around 20 demonstrators, most of whom are intent on peaceful protest.

Jackie Brooks (pictured) was dragged away by officers a fortnight ago as she served tea and biscuits to protesters from a stall at Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire

A few activists living in tents and caravans cause problems, residents say. Yesterday a man leapt on the roof of a lorry and remained there all morning, watched by up to 25 officers.

Since September, only 22 protesters have been charged with offences including obstruction and assault. North Yorkshire Police have been criticised for diverting so much manpower away from crime-fighting.

Figures released by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner show the cost of policing the site was £101,476 in September – but that did not include basic pay, so the total monthly bill is estimated at £200,000.

Jackie Brooks, 77, who was dragged away by officers a fortnight ago as she served tea and biscuits to protesters from a stall, said: ‘The police are effectively Third Energy’s police force so they should pay for it. They are over-policing as far as I am concerned.’

Another protester, academic Dr Steven Peers, said: ‘The cost of this police operation is atrocious. You don’t need so many… just dealing with little old ladies drinking cups of tea.’

North Yorkshire PCC Julia Mulligan said the force ‘has the necessary contingencies and budgets in place’ to police the protest, while Superintendent Alisdair Dey said: ‘We always respond proportionately to any protest activity.’

Third Energy said: ‘If the actions of all protesters had remained peaceful and lawful, police costs would not have reached this level.’

Up to 50 officers a day have been drafted in, yet yesterday there were only around 20 demonstrators, most of whom are intent on peaceful protest

Up to 50 officers a day have been drafted in, yet yesterday there were only around 20 demonstrators, most of whom are intent on peaceful protest

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