Climate change demo cost police £6m

The estimated cost of policing a week-long protest against climate change stands at just under £6 million, it has been disclosed.

Around £5.9 million has been spent policing the Camp for Climate Action event which was held last month close to Kingsnorth Power Station near Hoo, Kent.

The money, revealed to BBC South East following a Freedom of Information Act request, was spent on officers, accommodation, air support and planning.

But Kent Police expect the figure to rise further as invoices are still to be received from some suppliers, along with overtime claims from some officers.

The force said there are other potential costs to consider, arising from any litigation or other claims, that may take time to resolve.

A police spokesman said it was in negotiations with the Home Office about its contribution to the total cost, which is expected to be finalised in the next few weeks.

Of 100 people arrested during the gathering, 46 were charged, 22 were cautioned, three people were bound over to keep the peace and one person was found to be in breach of bail.

There were some 1,400 police officers from 26 forces deployed to the camp, according to Kent Police assistant chief constable Gary Beautridge.

The protest aimed to highlight opposition to a proposal to site Britain’s first coal-fired power station in more than 30 years at Kingsnorth.

It culminated in a mass day of action where attempts were made to shut down the plant, owned by energy company E.ON. The firm said protesters had not affected its power output.

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