Cops asking for £9.2m to settle traveller eviction costs (From Echo)

Essex Police want £9.2m for Crays Hill travellers' eviction

2:00pm Wednesday 9th March 2011 in Basildon By Jon Austin

POLICE chiefs are making an unprecedented bid for millions of pounds to help police the planned eviction of travellers from Dale Farm.

Just days before Basildon councillors vote over the release of £8million to pay for the eviction of the Crays Hill site, Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle and Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron were set to meet with ministers.

They were planning to ask for £9.2million towards a worst case scenario policing bill, of up to £12.2million.

Yesterday, the Echo revealed the eviction could last eight weeks.

Police fear there could be violent clashes if anarchist protesters are involved.

The force has a budget of £3million for the eviction, but needs the Home Office to stump up the rest.

A Home Office spokesman would not comment on the application, but said: “Police forces have to make an application for funding after the event.

“They cannot just apply for funding because they estimate an incident is going to cost them a lot of money.

“It is a bit pre-emptive on their behalf.”

The force also refused to comment ahead of the talks, but confirmed a letter had already gone in asking for the funding.

Tony Ball, council lead-er, said: “My understanding is the usual process is to apply for funding after the event. In that case, this would be unprecedented.”

He said he understood the approach was being made due to the unusual situation and estimated costs involved.

Talks between Essex Police and the Home Office were set to take place last night.

If the application is unsuccessful, the police could try to bill the council for their extra costs, but the council is reluctant to pay up.

In the council agenda ahead of next week’s vote, being held in the Towngate Theatre due to expected high numbers, it stated: “It may be expected either the Home Office or Essex Police Authority may seek a contribution from Basildon Council.

“Given the extent of the financial commitment referred to elsewhere in this report, it is considered the council should not, under any circumstances, agree to meet any costs incurred by the police as part of this operation.”