NORTH Yorkshire Police spent £233,704 on policing the Kirby Misperton fracking site in October.

The figure was released this morning by the police and crime commissioner Julia Mulligan, who is publishing the costs of so-called Operation Kingfisher month by month "as part of her commitment to openness and transparency".

So far, the costs have amounted to:

• £80,238 up to August 31, 2017
• £101,476 in September 2017
• £233,704 in October 2017

These include overtime, mutual aid, equipment, subsistence and travel-related costs.

It does not include the cost of those officers that are assigned to policing the site on a day-to-day basis.

Ms Mulligan said: "The costs incurred during October were considerably higher than the previous month and this is due to a number of factors, including a rise in the number of officers needed when protest activity increased and, on a number of occasions, support from other police forces in the form of mutual aid.

"As well as keeping people safe at the Kirby Misperton site, I am also keen that business as usual is maintained across the county, as far as possible.

"If mutual aid is required, then that must be the decision, although as you can see from the figures, it is costly."

If operation costs top £1.4 million - one per cent of the force's budget - Ms Mulligan said she will ask for Government support.

More in the Gazette & Herald on Wednesday.