Police claim £80,000 for badger cull delay
Police forces are claiming £80,000 for the cost of security arrangements for the badger culls which were postponed this summer.
Officers in the West Country spent thousands planning security for the culls amid fears animal rights activists would take direct action.
Activists from the Stop the Cull campaign group had threatened to sabotage, which are part of government plans to combat bovine tuberculosis.
However, two pilot culls in west Somerset and west Gloucestershire were postponed at the eleventh hour after badger numbers were found to be far higher than estimated.
Home Office minister Damian Green revealed on Wednesday night (21 November) that delaying the culls until next summer could cost taxpayers more than £80,000.
“The police forces have made special grant applications in respect of the planning costs incurred by them before the cull was postponed,” he said.
“We have received claims from two of the four police forces that were involved in the planning process. The claims total £80,000.
“These claims are currently being considered by the Home Office, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and DEFRA and a decision will be made in due course.”
The Tory minister revealed the figure following a written question in the House of Commons from shadow Home Office minister Diana Johnson.
Mr Green said any payments would be reimbursed by DEFRA. Estimated costs of the policing operation for the cull in 2013 were not yet available, he added.
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