Question reference: S5W-03715
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 12 October 2016
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 1 November 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking regarding the reported concerns about rising charges being imposed for policing music festivals in Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer
Police Scotland follows the standard approach to setting charges for public services as set out in the Scottish Government's Scottish Public Finance Manual - which is based on full cost recovery.
The policing of events are dealt with on a case by case basis by the local Area commanders, in discussion with event organisers, local authorities and other relevant interested parties.
Police forces have always been obliged to charge for their services. Prior to the establishment of Police Scotland, the legacy forces all had agreed charging rates but the application of these rates and associated charging methodology varied. The establishment of the single service provide the opportunity to put in place a consistent charging policy for policing services across Scotland