VIP costs
LAST year the taxpayer forked out £10m to pay for a special PSNI unit to provide personal protection for visiting dignitaries, Government ministers and members of the Royal family. The total bill over the past six years was a whopping £52m.
The PSNI revealed that the total operating cost of the PSNI Close Protection Unit - which provides security to VIPs - was £10,711,677 in 2010.
Over the past six years the total bill was £52,094,565. The PSNI outlined the information in response to a Freedom of Information request.
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Hide AdThe police also revealed that the cost of providing home security to serving officers since 2005 was just £56,359.
It states: “PSNI expenditure to date in relation to the Criminal Threats Scheme and Home Security Aid Scheme from inception in
2005 to date is £56,359.”