THE cost of policing a Bolton town centre protest by a far right group and a counter protest by an anti-facism organisation was almost £50,000, it has been revealed.

The Bolton News Under used the Freedom of Information Act, to request information about how much demonstrations by North West Infidels and counter group Unite Against Facism had cost Greater Manchester Police.

The policing operation involved 308 officers of whom 294 were paid £48,848. But police say the figures are not specific to Bolton and officers were prepared for other demonstrations which took place in Tameside and Heywood on the same day in March.

All of the officers cancelled rest days to police the demonstrations.

About 150 people took part in the Bolton protests in Churchgate, and the rival groups were separated by barriers.

Ch Supt David Hull said: “These are figures for an operation which ran across Greater Manchester on that day, and is not reflective of the operation in Bolton.

“Some of the officers were in Bolton exclusively, some came to Bolton and then went elsewhere, and some were deployed to the city centre and other areas.

“We cannot break down the exact proportion of the cost for Bolton.

“This is the price we pay for democracy, freedom of speech is an important right.

“I would prefer to be doing something else with these resources, but on occasion this is what we have to do to make sure Bolton is safe.

“Both sides worked with the police and it was a peaceful protest.

“I would like to thank the retailers in Churchgate who were particularly affected. The demonstration did not spoil other events which were taking place in the town centre.”

Bolton Council also spent £19,500 dealing with the protests.

More than £10,000 was spent on labour, and other costs included overtime, road signs, boarding up bins, security and response, catering, coach hire, and agency staff.

Paul Jenkins, regional organiser for the Unite Against Fascism North West, said: “The blame for the cost of this demonstration lies with the fact an organisation like this was allowed to come to Bolton in the first place. We would much rather they weren’t there in the first place and Bolton showed them they weren’t welcome.”

The North West Infidels refused to comment.

GMP needs to cut £134 million from its budget over four years