Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, has called on the Government to provide full funding for the increased policing costs associated with the proposed asylum camp at MOD Bicester.

In a letter to the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, The Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, the PCC outlines the additional demand expected from the proposed facility near Piddington including the need for increased neighbourhood policing once the camp is occupied and the management of protest activity.

Matthew Barber said: “I am extremely concerned about the additional burden the Government’s proposed asylum camp at MOD Bicester will have on local policing.

“Any increase in population inevitably increases the likelihood of crime but even before the camp is occupied, there will be significant pressure on the force to safely manage protest activity at the site (which has already started).

“The force has reviewed the numbers and, if planning permission was to be granted at the site, we estimate the additional cost to Thames Valley Police would be around £1.7 million per annum during the construction phase.

“However, this is only the cash cost – there will also be a considerable impact on our workforce and effectiveness as officers and resources will, inevitably, have to be redeployed across the force to meet operational needs around the camp leading to less visible, proactive policing in other parts of the Thames Valley.”

While Thames Valley Police will be able to apply for some financial support from the Government, current Home Office policy does not allow police forces to recover the full costs arising from the establishment of large asylum accommodation sites in local force areas.

Matthew added: “It is unacceptable that police forces cannot seek full cost recovery for the additional policing burdens that will inevitably result from the establishment of large asylum accommodation sites.

“Taxpayers in Thames Valley are already being asked to make up funding shortfalls in several areas of policing including the Government’s failure to fully fund the cost of new neighbourhood officers and the absence of additional funding for local state visits.

“They should not be expected to bear further costs associated with policing protests and managing the substantial population increase that would result from this proposal.

“I urge the Government to review the Home Office’s cost recovery policy in relation to large asylum sites before any further decisions on MOD Bicester are made.”