THE cost of the police presence at the Kirby Misperton fracking well topped £100,000 last month - not including the cost of officers at the site.

Police spent £101,476 on overtime, equipment, subsistence and travel in September alone, with £80,238 costs in the period up to the end of August.

The figures were released at an accountability meeting of the North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) yesterday afternoon.

The revelation comes just days after gas company Third Energy announced their intention to commence the fracking phase of their operation "on or after October 26". This will be a six-week phase which, according to the traffic management plan, will involve 388 vehicle movements to site.

PCC Julia Mulligan said that policing the site as part of so-called Operation Kingfisher is "a significant resourcing challenge", and was "likely to have an impact on policing across the rest of the county".

She said: "North Yorkshire Police has the necessary contingencies and budgets in place to ensure the force is able to deal with events such as policing protests.

"However, should the cost of the operation increase to over one per cent of the total policing budget in North Yorkshire, the Government holds a fund to assist local forces. I am seeking reassurance from the Government that money from this fund will be available, should it be needed."

Thirsk & Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake said he has arranged to meet with Mrs Mulligan and minister for policing Nick Hurd.

Mr Hollinrake said: "I am clear in my support for peaceful protest, but obstructing the highway, locking on and other forms of protest require a strong police presence.

"Our local police force, who are doing a very good job in these very difficult circumstances, should be keeping our local communities safe and should not have to turn out in large numbers to keep order amongst protestors."

September saw 26 people arrested at the site: two were released with no further action, two accepted cautions, and the others were charged to court for offences including obstructing a highway.

A spokesman for Frack Free Ryedale said the costs amounted to the use of public money to facilitate fracking. They said: "The excessive Operation Kingfisher costs represent an incredible waste of policing resource and public money.

"It's time England followed Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and halt fracking - a move that would save vital policing resources."