Charitable and Community Events

It is a matter for local negotiation. What I have to say about the guidance published by the Association of Chief Police Officers may help. In 2005, ACPO published guidance on charging for police services. It provides forces with a common and comprehensive charging methodology. It reflects the association’s recognition of the importance of taking a transparent and consistent approach to such matters. ACPO recommends that forces should seek to harmonise their methodologies with the guidance over the three years following its publication in April 2005. It is therefore rather early to assess the impact of the guidance, but I would expect it to deal with some of the points raised by the hon. Gentleman. The guidance was, at least in part, a response to criticisms of the diversity and inconsistency of approach taken by forces to charging and calculating the cost of services provided. The guidance does not mean that the cost of special police services will be identical at every apparently similar event. The cost of providing services will vary, in order to reflect the characteristics and requirements of particular venues. For events to which section 25 applies, the guidance sets out an approach to calculating the full economic cost of services provided. That cost includes all pay and allowances for the officers involved, usually at overtime rates. It also includes pension and national insurance contributions and the cost of other overheads. As I said, I believe that the guidance will help tackle some of the issues raised by the hon. Gentleman. In the time left to me, I shall say a little about the Dart music festival. The hon. Member for Totnes will know better than me that the festival brings a diverse range of musical entertainment to Dartmouth. I believe that it has been an annual event since 1998, and that it is enjoyed by residents and many visitors. I understand that 2006 is the first year in which the question of a charge for policing the event has arisen; that flowed from the constabulary’s wish to follow ACPO guidance. The Devon and Cornwall constabulary advises me that the festival organisers discussed the programme with it ahead of the event. The constabulary identified a requirement for additional policing in Dartmouth during the three days of the festival over and above that normally needed on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The full economic cost of that additional policing was some £14,000. However, the force agreed with the organisers that only about £2,700 of the total related to special police services in respect of some additional police officer overtime. I further understand that although the festival took place in May, the force has not yet invoiced the festival for that amount. The force is still considering whether the charge is appropriate. I believe that the matter is to be discussed by the hon. Gentleman and the assistant chief constable later this month. No doubt, what has been said this morning will help. I congratulate the hon. Member for Totnes on securing this important debate, and I thank the hon. Member for South-West Devon and the hon. and learned Member for Torridge and West Devon for their contributions. It has provided an opportunity to consider matters that are important both to the police service and to the many organisers of commercial and community events. Section 25 of the Police Act 1996 provides a useful enabling power. Through it, the organisers of events, or others with an interest, may request services that the police are able to provide that go beyond what they are obliged to provide as part of their ordinary duty.