Police authority to get back £638,000 towards London riots overtime bill

The North Yorkshire Police Authority overspent its overtime budget by £965,000 in the current financial year.

Much of the deficit came from when North Yorkshire Police sent about 180 officers to London to help when civil disturbances rocked the capital last summer.

However a deal has been agreed with the Home Office to recoup £638,000 of the overspend.

The matter was discussed at a meeting of the police authority yesterday.

The Yorkshire Post revealed last week that the region’s constabularies are already spending millions to plug gaps in the service, with officers having received up to £35,000 a year in overtime payments alone.

But rank-and-file police fear reductions to the workforce, driven by deep Government cuts, will result in them having to work more hours to tackle crime.

One of the region’s most senior officers, Humberside Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Donald, has suggested red tape, and a lack of available solicitors and doctors, can sometimes force staff to work longer than they should.