Notts Police facing possible £1m Olympic bill for security before and during games
NOTTS Police could have to shell out at least £1 million to help with security before and during the 2012 Olympics.
The force could be one of many asked to help out the Met with policing the London games, which begin two years on Tuesday.
Notts Police could also be asked to provide security to competing teams which are expected to use areas in the Midlands, including Loughborough, as their base.
An extra expense could be incurred if the Olympic torch is paraded through the county on its way to the capital, though no decision has been made on the route.
A spokesman for the Olympic Security Directorate said the £1 million figure, which was mentioned to the Notts Police Authority's finance and business committee, was a very rough one.
"There is no decision yet on how much each force will have to spend on the games," he said.
"A lot of decisions have to be made in terms of resources.
"Once the actual schedule for the sports is decided upon, we will be in a better position to decide on policing.
"The Games will be taking place in 11 different police force areas, including the Met and Dorset, so there is the likelihood that a variety of forces will be called upon for assistance."
The Games will be staged between July 27 and August 12.
Councillor John Clarke, former Notts Police Authority chairman, described the cost as "yet another burden" on the force's tight budget. Up to £45 million is being cut during the next four years.
"With the cuts, we are going to see fewer officers anyway, so it is going to be putting a huge strain on resources," said Mr Clarke.
"It is good this country has got the Olympics, but these costs are something Notts Police could do without.
"There will be a lot of big companies making a lot of money from the Olympics, so maybe they could consider putting some of it back into policing."
A police spokesperson said: "The Olympics are two years away and it is not possible to provide an exact figure for the potential cost to the force.
"We do not know what policing requirements we will be asked to provide but we are working with ACPO [Association of Chief Police Officers] and Government to pre-plan and ensure adequate resources are available."
6 Comments
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Saturday, July 24 2010, 11:23PM
“I see leo, the hate-filled anti-semite is back with his one line diatribe and homophobia.
Grow up!
Oy gavelt!”
by m, gedling
Saturday, July 24 2010, 5:54PM
“if notts forest want policing they have to pay for it, there is no difference here,
if the met wants extra police then let them hire security not come begging to us , we have only just enough officers to police our area, we cannot spare even one,”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Saturday, July 24 2010, 2:33PM
“Tumnus, if you read the story again, all forces across the country are being asked to contribute, and also the torch could come through here.
Also, I believe I heard somewhere once that 1 or more teams may come and using Nottingham's National Watersport Centre as a training facility.
I think the olimpics are a good thing across the country, as they can help increase participation in sport. That is if the coalition government hadn't scrapped free swimming and put off a decision on the so called 'Crown Juels.'”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Saturday, July 24 2010, 2:31PM
“Tumnus, if you read the story again, all forces across the country are being asked to contribute, and also the torch could come through here.
Also, I believe I heard somewhere once that 1 or more teams may come and using Nottingham's National Watersport Centre as a training facility.
I think the olimpics are a good thing across the country, as they can help increase participation in sport. That is if the coalition government hadn't scrapped free swimming and put off a decision on the so called 'Crown Juels.'”
by mr tumnus, narnia
Saturday, July 24 2010, 11:00AM
“i did not realise the games were on in nottingham ?”
by MORTY, POORHOUSE
Saturday, July 24 2010, 9:06AM
“Why we will gain precisely nothing from these overpriced games another one of bliars cockups.Cost a fortune help for the working classes of this country NIL.ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT JOBS THOUSANDS SO FAR”