THE cost of policing the Kirby Misperton fracking well-site dropped 36 per cent in November.

However, the £147,881 bill took costs so far to well over half a million pounds.

The new figures were published by the police and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, Julia Mulligan.

The costs so far - which include overtime, mutual aid, equipment, subsistence and travel, but not the cost of the officers who are assigned to the site on a day-to-day basis - have been:

• £80,238 up to 31 August 2017
• £101,476 in September 2017
• £233,704 in October 2017
• £147,881 in November 2017

The drop in cost has been attributed to what the PCC said is "largely safe and peaceful nature of protest activity", meaning they could deploy officers elsewhere.

Ms Mulligan said: “As the operation continues I will be keeping a close eye on the total bill.

"As I’ve said before, North Yorkshire Police has the necessary contingencies in place to deal with events such as this in the short term, but I have already written to the Government in anticipation of costs going beyond one per cent (or £1.4m) of our total budget, after which we can apply for financial assistance.

“I am keen that policing more widely carries on as usual, especially over the busy Christmas period.

"I am also keen to hear about any potential impact on members of the public, so please do contact me with your views."

There were a total of eight arrests connected to protest activity at Kirby Misperton in November.