The PSNI has revealed to Armagh I the cost of its response to a pro-Palestinian march and subsequent counter protest back in June of this year.
The figure was provided to this publication in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request that was submitted to the police service back in June.
On June 6, a pro-Palestinian demonstration – ‘The Great March for Gaza’ – left Lurgan shortly after 8am, with more than 1,000 participants, and arrived in Scarva a little after 1pm – where a counter-protest gathered on the opposite side of the Newry Canal.
While tensions did brew on the day, it was largely confined to heated verbal exchanges across the canal.
Some might say this was thanks to the police presence, however, many were scathing of the apparent show of force.
The policing operation – including the deployment of riot units and water cannon – prompted sharp criticism from a number of Unionist representatives, who accused the PSNI of “two-tier policing”, including from Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart.
Ms Lockhart said in the immediate aftermath of the event: “The policing operation started badly, and deteriorated, only serving to inflame tensions.
“At one point, for no apparent reason, the police decided to charge the crowd, as I was talking to people and ensuring tensions were not inflamed. I was jostled by the police in their haste to engage.
“At this point the police sensibly pulled back, whilst bringing water cannons to the fore of their operation. I will be speaking with senior officers in the coming days to understand why these decisions were made which, rather than deterring any problems, only served to heighten tensions.”
So it begged the questions, what was the size and scale of the operation – and how much did it cost?
The PSNI confirmed in response to Armagh I‘s FOI that the total police over-time cost of the operation was £84,000 and the non-pay staffing amounted to £11,000 – costed at a “ready reckoner rate” – a total cost of £95,000.
A total of 311 officers were deployed. 182 of those were from the South Area made up of 97 officers from Local Resources, 75 officers from Public Support Units and 10 officers from Evidence Gathering Teams.
Another 129 officers attending from the Operational Support Department.
Five police dogs were also tasked to attend the event.
