MPA review into charging for the policing of private events

80/03
20 October 2003

The cost of policing private events could in future be borne by the organisers, following a decision by the Metropolitan Police Authority to set up a review into charging for police time.

Toby Harris, MPA Chair, said:

“We feel it is time to establish a clear policy on the principle of charging the organisers of private events for the cost of policing them.

“This type of policing places a large financial burden on the overall police budget and it does not seem unreasonable to expect a contribution from organisers of private, money-making events.

“The MPA has been looking into this issue for some considerable time and we have already had preliminary talks with London-based football clubs and the Football Association. But we now need to address the wider issue and look for a solution that is acceptable to all sides.”

At the MPA meeting on 25 September, members discussed the demand placed on police resources by private events such as the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition and David Blaine’s activities. It was agreed that the Authority should develop criteria with the Metropolitan Police Service to determine who should pay policing costs for such events in the future.

This issue has already received some consideration as part of an efficiency and effectiveness review of income generation carried out in February 2002.

While that report was written primarily with the objective of generating additional income, it also acknowledged the benefit that charging may result in a reduced demand for policing, thus mitigating the opportunity cost of such events.

However, the report did identify that the policy and approach is likely to vary depending upon the nature of the event or organiser concerned, for example commercial events, major sporting events, charitable events, and approaches by public sector organisations, such as hospitals and local authorities.

Notes to editors

1. Following publication of the efficiency and effectiveness review by Accenture, it was agreed, with the support of the Mayor, to pursue the issue of football clubs making a larger contribution towards policing costs associated with football matches. There is also a national initiative on this subject involving the Home Office.

2. One issue which consideration of policing outside of football grounds has demonstrated is the limited legal basis for enforcing charges for policing outside the immediate environs of a particular event.

3. However the Accenture report confirmed that there is a lack of clear and consistent policies in regard to the provision and funding of police resources in relation to events in London. It would therefore be appropriate to establish a clear policy basis for charging for the policing of private events following which practical and legal issues could be considered.

4. The review should therefore determine:

• the definition of events for which charges should be made
• the cost base for charges, e.g. policy on overheads
• definition of any grounds for abatement or waiver of charges
• the scope of policing activity which should be included in the definition of events for which charges should be made

5. In considering these points the review should draw on:

• relevant existing policies and practices of the MPS
• the Accenture report
• the experience in relation to charging for football matches

6. The review should then consider practical, legal and any other potential obstacles to implementing the policy and identify actions which should be pursued to overcome them.

7. Four members of the Authority will direct the review and report back to the MPA’s Coordination and Policing Committee by the end of this financial year.

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