Politics

Extinction Rebellion’s protests which shut down parts of London cost the taxpayer £16million


TAXPAYERS spent a staggering £16million on policing the chaotic climate protests that shut down London, The Sun can reveal.

Scotland Yard’s bill for handling the 11 days of mayhem caused by Extinction Rebellion – more than double the original estimate – could have paid the annual salaries of 600 bobbies on the beat.

 More than 1,150 were arrested and 71 charged after large parts on London were brought to a standstill by Extinction Rebellion

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More than 1,150 were arrested and 71 charged after large parts on London were brought to a standstill by Extinction RebellionCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Almost half of the cash – £7.3m – went on overtime payments for extra cops to tackle the thousands of eco-warriors who blocked bridges over the Thames, put a pink boat in the middle of Oxford Circus and glued themselves to a train.

Britain’s biggest force also had to pay other forces a total of £800,000 after borrowing 800 officers from around the country.

Another £785,000 went on having to give an extra day off to officers who had their Easter holidays cancelled at the last minute.

The Met also spent £116,311 on vans to shuttle cops around and £73,013 on keeping them fed.

And £4.3m went on the pay for the officers who were on normal duties.

Last night Susan Hall, who sits on London’s police committee, said: “I’m absolutely furious. It was like a carnival.

“The police should have gone in much harder right from the start. That would have saved a lot of money and trouble for businesses.

“The money could then have been spent on tackling the knife crime epidemic.”

A total of 1,151 arrests were made during the demonstrations in April, but as of this month only 71 people had been charged while the rest are still under investigation.

Wimbo demo plot

CLIMATE change protesters Extinction Rebellion claim they will bring chaos to next week’s Wimbledon tournament.

Security is said to have been stepped up after plans to demonstrate against its single-use plastics were discovered.

Last year players including Johanna Konta highlighted litter left behind by stars and spectators.

A Wimbledon source told The Sun: “It will be very difficult to get in to cause any problems.

“But if it’s a demo outside on the roads it could well cause disruption.

“Given how many green initiatives Wimbledon have brought in this year, the timing does seem a bit strange.”

 The money spent on policing the protests could have paid 600 police officers for a year

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The money spent on policing the protests could have paid 600 police officers for a yearCredit: EPA
Diane Abbott struggles with megaphone and gets snowflake ‘jazz hands’ applause in case clapping causes anxiety as she praises Extinction Rebellion eco mob







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