Nuclear convoys and sports give police £4m windfall

POLICE Scotland is expecting a £4 million windfall from external organisations for protecting nuclear waste shipments and policing sporting events.

The force has made almost

£1m this year so far for providing logistical support for nuclear waste transfers and policing football matches.

The ongoing logistical support, known as Operation Ailey, is understood to involve traffic management and public order protection for nuclear waste travelling from the decommissioned Dounreay nuclear plant for reprocessing at Sellafield in

Cumbria.

The former Strathclyde Police began charging football teams to police matches in 2009 amid some resistance, particularly from smaller teams who warned it could threaten their financial viability. The practice continued when the force was merged into Police Scotland.

Police Scotland is also expecting an extra £200,000 from policing the Glasgow 2018 European Championships currently under way in the city.

James Gray, Police Scotland’s chief financial officer, told the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) that he was forecasting a “favourable” £4m of additional income above budget this year.

“This includes £2.5m of additional services of police income that mainly relates to an extra £1.9m of Operation Ailey income if the request for five additional movements above the budgeted number are delivered this financial year,” he said.

“There is also £200,000 of additional income anticipated from events including the European Championships 2018.”

The windfall and other savings have reduced Police Scotland’s operating deficit this year to £35.6m, down from £47.2m last year.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “The SPA authorises the Chief Constable to provide and charge for police services that are assessed on a case by case basis.

“Commercial events, where the organiser intends to make a profit, such as football and festivals, will be charged full cost recovery.

“Operation Ailey is Police Scotland’s support to the safety and security of nuclear decommissioning in the UK and we operate a full cost recovery system in line with

SPA rates.”