Charging for Police
Discussion
Apparently the River Festival in Maidstone has been cancelled because the Police cover now has to be paid for. The story can be found here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7264275.st...
Apparently other events are also at risk, or facing large police bills.
Is it right the Police should charge for policing these large events when large numbers of the public who attend have already paid for police services via their taxes and council tax? Equally can be expect a reduction in the police part of our council tax as they will be charging organisers for policing their events?
Apparently other events are also at risk, or facing large police bills.
Is it right the Police should charge for policing these large events when large numbers of the public who attend have already paid for police services via their taxes and council tax? Equally can be expect a reduction in the police part of our council tax as they will be charging organisers for policing their events?
splitter / judas said:
Most Officers woking these events will be on rest days so will need to be paid overtime and to keep the force budget (read: our council tax) down the event is charged for the Officers time.
But surely thats down to the Police to manage their resources better. They know what events are coming and could plan accordingly. Not only that but this sort of event is the only time many of us see a police officer so its great community policing too.Presumably the real answer is that there are no government targets for policing this sort of event so it doesn't get policed?
Equally if the Police were present at these events last year for free how come the COuncil Tax allocated to them is still going up when they are being paid to attend? Presumably its yet another stealth tax.
Again of course it is not the fault of the police on the street.
The article appears to explain reason. No idea what the case was though.
"However, Mr Knight made it clear that the River Festival committee was not holding Kent Police, or any of its officers, directly responsible for the charges.
"It has been explained to us that, as a result of a Court of Appeal ruling in May 2006, the police are now obliged to charge every public event across the country, whether it is a commercial event, a community event or a charitable event," he said."
"However, Mr Knight made it clear that the River Festival committee was not holding Kent Police, or any of its officers, directly responsible for the charges.
"It has been explained to us that, as a result of a Court of Appeal ruling in May 2006, the police are now obliged to charge every public event across the country, whether it is a commercial event, a community event or a charitable event," he said."
Dont invite the police to attend. If there is any trouble there is a magic number , just dial 999
Things like this really are starting to annoy me. Our local carnival held in the school grounds is at risk this year as insurance costs are sky high. You can only charge so much for entry to an event like this and anything more than a few pounds will kill attendance. Luckily we have some local businesses that help cover the costs but that means the take from the event which goes to charity is now very low - instead of benefitting charity it benefits the insurance company. This is an event that has (to the best of my knowledge) never had any trouble, accidents , major injuries etc, and the whole town attends with most of the roads being closed for a parade. If the police start charging us I think it will be the end.
Things like this really are starting to annoy me. Our local carnival held in the school grounds is at risk this year as insurance costs are sky high. You can only charge so much for entry to an event like this and anything more than a few pounds will kill attendance. Luckily we have some local businesses that help cover the costs but that means the take from the event which goes to charity is now very low - instead of benefitting charity it benefits the insurance company. This is an event that has (to the best of my knowledge) never had any trouble, accidents , major injuries etc, and the whole town attends with most of the roads being closed for a parade. If the police start charging us I think it will be the end.
I find the quote of "150 officers last year" absolutely laughable, I've been to the river festival and used to be in the raft races when I was a kid and I'd bet a pound to a pinch of shit that there's never more than 20 coppers there and 80% of those will be specials (who give their time for free to help their communities!!) so I'd guess in total we're looking at an Inspector, a sgt' maybe 4 constables and 1 dozen or so specials and PCSO's. They have no actual presence on the river only on the banks/roads all the bars have doorstaff and there's safety and crowd marshals. So it's complete b
ks. Oh yes and I'm a maidstone council tax payer!
ks. Oh yes and I'm a maidstone council tax payer!mel said:
I find the quote of "150 officers last year" absolutely laughable, I've been to the river festival and used to be in the raft races when I was a kid and I'd bet a pound to a pinch of shit that there's never more than 20 coppers there and 80% of those will be specials (who give their time for free to help their communities!!) so I'd guess in total we're looking at an Inspector, a sgt' maybe 4 constables and 1 dozen or so specials and PCSO's. They have no actual presence on the river only on the banks/roads all the bars have doorstaff and there's safety and crowd marshals. So it's complete bks. Oh yes and I'm a maidstone council tax payer!
Three PSU's working two shifts through the day plus others. Can't comment on what you do or do not see. Every year it has a large number of fights and other stuff going on until the early hours. Due to previous large scale scuffles they have to police it with roughly the same resources on duty in response for the whole county. Massively impactive to areas as it takes police from elsewherewhich is why its now done on overtime. I can assure you at least 150 work it. ks. Oh yes and I'm a maidstone council tax payer!Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff