Matt Baggott reveals Union flag protests and riots cost PSNI £15m

PSNI CHIEF Constable has revealed the full cost so far of policing Union flag protests and resulting disorder.

Matt Baggott has told the Policing Board at its February meeting on Thursday that the “financial cost and opportunity cost” of policing protests and disorder has now hit the £15 million mark.

And he has told members that since the protests started on December 3 more than 200 people have been arrested.

The Chief Constable stated: “The scale of disruption and disorder has been exceptionally challenging.”

Over 100 police officers have been injured during serious rioting in east Belfast, Glengormley, Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus.

The protests and disorder erupted after Belfast City Council voted by 29-21 to only fly the Union flag on designated days of the year.

The Alliance Party put forward the compromise motion and a number of its offices were attacked, MP Naomi Long received a death threat and the home of two Bangor councillors were attacked with paint bombs.

The Conferdation of British Industry (CBI) said the protests had cost businesses in Belfast £15 million in lost trade and revenue.

The Stormont Executive and Belfast City Council have ploughed £1 million into ‘Backin Belfast’ campaign to encourage the public to come back into the city and support traders.