A local london newspaper recently reported that the policing bill for the 2003 DSEI arms fair was over 4 million quid.
EUROPE'S largest arms fair, held in Docklands last September, cost over £4million to police, The Wharf can reveal.
The Metropolitan Police are set to ask the organisers of the bi-annual Defence Systems Equipment International (DSEi) to foot the bill next time. This year it reached £4,380,000, with over 1,600 officers here every day.
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) said it was looking at charging policing costs to organisers of commercial events like DSEi and David Blaine's 40-day stunt by Tower Bridge last summer.
Feb 5 2004
Allison Martin
http://icthewharf.icnetwork.co.uk/thisweek/news/content_objectid=13916004_method=full_siteid=71670_headline=-DOCKLANDS-ARMS-FAIR-COST--pound-4M-TO-POLICE-name_page.html
The Metropolitan Police are set to ask the organisers of the bi-annual Defence Systems Equipment International (DSEi) to foot the bill next time. This year it reached £4,380,000, with over 1,600 officers here every day.
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) said it was looking at charging policing costs to organisers of commercial events like DSEi and David Blaine's 40-day stunt by Tower Bridge last summer.
Feb 5 2004
Allison Martin
http://icthewharf.icnetwork.co.uk/thisweek/news/content_objectid=13916004_method=full_siteid=71670_headline=-DOCKLANDS-ARMS-FAIR-COST--pound-4M-TO-POLICE-name_page.html 
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oops
05.03.2004 03:47
mark
Dodgy precedent?
05.03.2004 17:48
Wasn't it only when the Thames Valley Police bill reached £7 million that Hillgrove closed down.
It's a bit weird asking DSEi to foot the bill. Although this may hasten the demise of dodgy events like DSEi its also taking a step towards privatised police force. Only those who can afford it will be entitled to protection. So short term seems like a good thing but if a long term trend it could be setting a very dodgy precedent.
Some events already have to pay loads to cops - like some of the Green Gatherings in the past. They won't get permission to hold their event unless they have cops there. Then the cops charge the event organisers loads of money which is paid for in the price of the ticket. Racketeering is the word I think.
[1] The Newham Recorder
steve
Football clubs
06.03.2004 13:17
mark