[moe.ron]

Blaine backers get bill for policing

Hugh Muir
Friday September 26, 2003
The Guardian

Scotland Yard has told the organisers of David Blaine's troubled display of public starvation above Tower Bridge that they must pay for policing the stunt themselves.
In a move that heralds a review of the policing of all private events in London, the Met has announced that it will claim back the cost of keeping demonstrators away from the American performer. The charges, which have not yet been quantified, began on Monday.

Amid growing concern about the performance, the Met commissioner, Sir John Stevens, told The Guardian that the public order implications of the performance are being reviewed every day and the show could be halted if it becomes a catalyst for regular disorder.

There have been chaotic scenes as members of the public have thrown eggs and missiles at Blaine, who is enclosed within a clear box. There have also been clashes as members of his entourage have tried to stop demonstrators ridiculing him. One sought to cut off his water supply.

Last week an aide of Sir Paul McCartney was involved in a fracas with a photographer as the musician visited the site.

There have been three arrests so far. Blaine will remain in his box without food for a further 25 days.

Sir John said: "It is costing the Met a lot of money. We have asked the people organising the event to pay for policing. It has got to the stage where it is requiring a considerable police presence."

He added: "If it got to the extent that it is too rowdy, we will have to look at that because my responsibility is to keep the public peace."

The police stance reflects new thinking on finance and concern that major events in central London are stretching the Met's resources. The commissioner and members of the Metropolitan police authority were shocked by the arrangements which had to be made as demonstrators besieged the arms fair in London Docklands two weeks ago. The Met made 150 arrests.

The costs of policing the Notting Hill carnival, New Year celebrations and professional football matches are also causing concern.

Sir John said up to 2,672 officers were needed to police the arms fair, adding: "We need to consider that it was a private enterprise."

While conceding that the Met must police some events from its own funds in the public interest, the commissioner said there will be increasing demands on his officers and finances.

"This is an area which is going to expand if we are not careful and it is going to cost the Met, the police authority and Londoners a lot of money. I think from my point of view we have got to be quite tough on this."

MPA member Peter Herbert said the arms fair offered no benefit to Londoners.

"There are many people who will not enter the Guinness Book of Records who will starve to death while David Blaine is up there, and it is very sad that we have had to waste money on policing the event in this way."

Blaine is protected by 12 security guards hired by Sky television, but two Met officers patrol at peak hours.

The organisers were contributing to the costs incurred between 8pm and 6am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but will now pick up the entire costs.