A petition has been launched which aims to reduce the ‘unnecessary’ costs of policing Scotland’s music festivals.
Despite the fact that is inarguable that police presence is required at large-scale events, Labour MSP Colin Smyth has recently spoken out about the fact that costs are rising whilst using the many family friendly festivals which take place annually in Dumfries & Galloway as an example.
Speaking in a recent parliamentary debate, Smyth stated that:
“In 2015, the policing bill for the Eden festival was £12,000 for a licensed audience of 8,000. This year it is £38,000, an increase of more than 300 per cent. The Electric Fields festival had a bill of £1,600 for 2,000 people last year; this year it is £19,000 for an audience of 5,000, albeit over two days. Notwithstanding the perception of overpolicing, the charges by Police Scotland are well above those in England, undermining and risking events in rural areas and putting Scotland at a competitive disadvantage with our near neighbours.”
Those looking for additional information or to sign the petition can do so now here.
