Leicestershire Police gets £374k for officers' duties at Olympics

Nearly £400,000 has been paid to Leicestershire Police to cover the costs of its contribution to this summer's Olympics.

Chief Constable Simon Cole has revealed his force has received £374,000 from the Home Office from money set aside for forces who helped the Metropolitan Police and the armed services with the huge security operation surrounding the London games in July and August.

Security: Leicestershire Police has received Home Office cash to help meet the costs of policing the London Olympics and providing security for the Olympic Torch relay as it passed through the county, involving local heroes including Gary Lineker

Leicestershire officers were among those from forces nationwide sent to the capital to carry out policing duties.

More than 300 officers from the county were assigned to duties ranging from crowd control to counter-terrorism roles.

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Mr Cole told a meeting of the police and crime commissioners executive board: "The Home Office have given us some extra money.

"You won't hear me say that very often.

"We have got £374,000 back following the Olympic policing operation."

Mr Cole said the money related to the costs of paying for his officers working in the capital and the expenses and security surrounding the Olympic Torch relay when it passed through the county, as well as a rehearsal event.

There were also further costs associated with policing at Loughborough University, which was used by both Team GB and the some Japanese athletes as a pre-games training camp.

Mr Cole said: "The Olympics involved a very big security operation and we played a significant part in that.

"We always anticipated that we could get it (the costs) back, but it is good to have the money."

Mr Cole said he thought £374,000 was a fair amount, given the costs his force had incurred.

He said the money would go back into the £168 million budget.

Police and crime commissioner Sir Clive Loader said: "Our input to the Olympics was considerable. On some days we had 200 officers in London – 10 per cent of the total."

Before the games there had been concerns about security, with private sector firm G4S failing to provide enough civilian staff for sporting venues. More police, soldiers, sailors and airmen were drafted in at short notice to cover.

Ivan Stafford, chairman of the Leicestershire Police Federation, said: "It was a huge operation – particularly after the failings of G4S.

"There was some disruption to the lives of officers because of the cancellation of leave, but those who went to London enjoyed it very much and acted professionally, as we would expect. Some people have suggested parts of the Olympics were over-policed, but I couldn't disagree more.

"I can't comment on whether the figure is a fair one but if the chief says it is then I'll go with that.

"Policing is expensive but, like anything, you get what you pay for.

"Prevention of major incidents was a big part of that and thankfully things were never put to the test."