Fracking protests: No extra police cash

THE Policing Minister has rejected pleas for extra funding to police fracking protests in Lancashire.

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw made a bid for funds, but has been rejected, meaning that Lancashire Constabulary will have to pay at least £2.6 million to police the protests before it has the chance to apply for additional help.

Commissioner Grunshaw said: “Lancashire Police are faced with an ever rising bill to police the fracking protests. The government has confirmed it has made no extra provision to help meet the costs of policing the protests.”

Lancashire Constabulary is providing a round the clock policing operation at the Preston New Road site, where protestors have been camped out since January.

It is estimated that it will cost at least £450,000 per month to police the protests.

Commissioner Grunshaw added: “Our officer resources are being stretched to the limits and the government has said that there will be no additional financial help until our costs reach £2.6m. Even then, we will only be able to claim anything over that initial cost. That’s money that could have been spent investigating child exploitation, serious crimes and domestic abuse, but instead is focused on policing protests. Other crimes will continue to be investigated of course – but any additional resources that may have helped them be solved sooner, may not be there.”