POLICE in North Yorkshire have defended their right to earn more than £4million in overtime as they travel to London today (weds) to protest over pay.
The Press told yesterday how Government figures show officers in North Yorkshire received an averaged overtime payout of £3,304 each on top of their normal salaries in 2006/2007 - a total of more than £4.3million.
A report revealed that the total overtime bill for North Yorkshire was £4,352,000 in 2006/2007, compared to £2,111,000 in 1997/1998.
The payments have provoked an angry response from campaigners, who claim officers are working longer hours because of an increase in paperwork.
Mark Botham, Chairman of North Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "Officers are entitled to compensation for working extra hours. There can be a multitude of reasons why officers are retained on duty, such as short staffing."
But Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers Alliance, said: "Political meddling and mismanagement of the police is costing the taxpayer dearly."
* For more details see The Press today.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article