University chiefs pay for 'private' police force during Fringe

A UNIVERSITY is to pay thousands of pounds for extra policing during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Lothian and Borders Police have agreed to provide a round-the-clock presence at major venues owned by Edinburgh University, after officials agreed to help foot the bill. Four officers will be on duty around George Square and the Meadows under the arrangement, believed to be a first for the Fringe.

Both areas have been dogged by problems with violence, under-age drinking and antisocial behaviour.

The police have also revealed that the top of Middle Meadow Walk has become the latest hotspot for open-air drinking and antisocial behaviour.

The area is home to a number of popular Fringe venues, including the Spiegeltent, the Gilded Balloon, the Pleasance Dome and the Udderbelly.

Police said the university had agreed to part-fund overtime costs. PC Ben Merrick said the funding would help to provide a much greater presence than normal throughout August. Due to ring-fenced funding, officers can be redeployed only if a major incident took place elsewhere.

With several other organisations already paying for extra policing, concerns have been raised that the public-service ethos of the police may be compromised. However, Iain Whyte, convener of the Lothian and Borders Joint Police Board, said it was "providing additional resources that the police would otherwise not be able to give.

"We don't want to see any private police forces," he said. "Such arrangements cannot be simply about meeting the narrow interests of the organisation that is providing the money."

The police have revealed that they will be providing mounted patrols around the Meadows in August. PC Merrick said: "For the Fringe, for its whole run, there will be four police officers, assisted by environment wardens from the city council, covering the Meadows and George Square, from the early afternoon until the early hours.

"Edinburgh University has generously provided assistance to fund this, and it means that dedicated attention can be paid to an area that becomes a huge focus for locals and visitors alike for a short, but intense period."

Inspector Glenn Milne, from the police's south Edinburgh neighbouring area, said: "We've got events like the Tattoo, and a lot of annual leave, so we can be strapped for officers." But he said "partnerships" with organisations were allowing the police to provide a bigger presence.

A spokesman for Edinburgh University would not disclose how much the force had been given. He added: "The university, its public spaces and the venues it provides for the Festival are generally safe places to work and for the public to enjoy events. The university wants to ensure this situation is maintained."

BACKGROUND

POLICE forces already receive extra cash from a range of organisations to provide additional officers.

Edinburgh City Council provides millions of pounds to Lothian and Borders Police for dozens of "neighbourhood" officers to tackle youth disorder and anti-social behaviour.

In November, the same force reached a deal with the Edinburgh Airport operator, BAA, for the firm to meet the full £2.5 million annual cost of a dedicated police unit on the site, securing five extra officers over and above the existing 39 on duty. The force also provides privately funded officers for major football and rugby matches.