§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost of the police operation at Alexandra palace, north London on 2 to 3 December; how many officers were involved; and if the organisers of the event being held at Alexandra palace at the time of the police operation have made a contribution towards the costs.
§ Mr. MacleanI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 151 officers were involved in the operation to police the demonstration outside Alexandra palace, north London on 2 December. The additional manpower costs of the operation are estimated at £6,500.
I understand that the organisers of the event held at Alexandra palace did not request the provision of special police services and that there was no question of chargeable services being provided. A police presence would not have been necessary but for the fact that a demonstration was organised to disrupt a private event. The policing costs were therefore occasioned by the demonstrators, who have not made a contribution towards the costs.