THE latest costs for the continuing police of the fracking protests at Kirby Misperton have fallen.

The additional costs of the policing operation in February amounted to £30,772 – down 36 per cent compared with the previous month.

The figures include overtime, mutual aid, equipment, subsistence, and travel-related costs.

The county's police and crime commissioner, Julia Mulligan, said: “I’m pleased that costs were down again in February although this is to be expected while Third Energy’s activity has been put on hold.

"However, I will continue to keep a close eye on the impact financially and I will be making an application to Government to recover as much of our costs as possible.”

Superintendent Alisdair Dey said: “Our neighbourhood policing approach at Kirby Misperton continued throughout February.

"Officers were at the site ensuring the people there could protest safely and peacefully, and ensuring disruption to the local community was kept to a minimum.”

The additional costs of the policing operation have so far amounted to £700,660, made up of:

• £80,238 up to August 31

• £101,476 in September

• £233,704 in October

• £147,881 in November

• £58,488 in December

• £48,101 in January

• £30,772 in February