Lyttle shocked by £21.9m cost of policing flag protests

Alliance Policing Board member, Chris Lyttle MLA, has said he is shocked at the £21.9million cost of policing flag protests between 3^rd December 2012 and 31^st March 2013. The figure was revealed by the Justice Minister, who also stated that the policing bill for the protest at Twaddell had reached £5.45million by the 31st December 2013.

Chris Lyttle MLA said: “I am shocked that such a large sum of money was spent on policing flags protests and related civil unrest. I am also appalled that £5.45million was spent last year on policing the ongoing daily protests at Twaddell. This is money that should have been better spent on combating the dissident republican threat and putting more resources into community policing.

“There was no justification for the violence we witnessed or the injuries to our police officers. It also did untold damage to our economy and international reputation.

“I would urge those who wish to protest to do so peacefully and consider the consequences of their actions. I would also call on community and political leaders to uphold the rule of law and to avoid the use of inflammatory language. No political party should be in any way associated with illegal protests that drain the human and financial resources of the PSNI, and of our Government and economy.”

ENDS