CAMBS POLICE: New policy for charging to police events announced today

CAMBS Police is to adopt national guidance and charge for the policing of events.The move is designed to offset the cost to the taxpayer of overtime and extra manpower needed for some events.The types of events which the constabulary is allowed to charg

CAMBS Police is to adopt national guidance and charge for the policing of events.

The move is designed to offset the cost to the taxpayer of overtime and extra manpower needed for some events.

The types of events which the constabulary is allowed to charge for include: Football matches, visits by VIPs (not Royalty), for custody use, commercial events, charitable events, community events, statutory events and private functions.

In some instances a charge will be waived and in others, a significant reduction will be made. Small-scale events below a set threshold where additional officers are not required may still be policed for free. In all cases, discretion can be used.

Superintendent Melanie Barrett said: "We will look at this on a case by case basis. For large events officers often need to work overtime, or come to work on their day off which is a great cost to the constabulary and, in turn, the tax payer.

"The charging process will be made clear to anyone wishing to hold an event which requires policing.

"For policed events which have been running for many years, we will gradually increase costs in stages over three years.

"What we are trying to do is ensure that events are policed accordingly, and that officers are not taken off their normal duties to the communities they serve.

"Where an event is for a charitable cause, or is organised by a local authority, for example, then we will look carefully at whether recovering our costs is appropriate for the event.