Andrew Dismore

At today’s London Assembly Mayor’s Question Time Andrew Dismore AM, Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, questioned the Mayor on the cost and impact of policing President Trump’s visit.

 

Mr Dismore asked the Mayor:

‘How much did the policing of President Trump’s visit to London cost; and how many Dedicated Ward Officers (DWO’s) were taken off their wards to police the visit?

‘Reports suggest that Police Scotland will receive £5 million from the Home Office towards the cost of the President’s private golf trip to Scotland, not that they could stop a paraglider protester.

‘Have you received any assurances that the Met will also be reimbursed the full costs of policing the Trump visit which clearly were far more than the cost of looking after a golf course, given the need to abstract dedicated ward officers from their boroughs to make up the 4,000 officers for President Trump’s brief visit to the capital, at the same time as other major demands on the Met. including the World Cup crowds, Pride, and so on?’

The Mayor said that:

The police operation was a success. President Trump experienced a diverse and open city which values free speech. The cost is not yet known. He has approached Government for a special grant and it would be unacceptable if not approved. The Government refuse properly to fund the National and International Capital City grant, only paying half the cost.

Routine abstractions of DWO’s is down to 5% but is needed for extraordinary events like this. 242 DWO’s were abstracted, 139 on the Friday and 103 on the Saturday. It is frustrating with all the extra demands on policing-events, concerts, parades and protests – half funding isn’t good enough. We have 1½ million daytime extra visitors to London and a growing population that needs to be recognised.