A MAJOR terrorism alert in Teignbridge cost Devon and Cornwall police more than £1m, it emerged on Tuesday.
Some £660,000 – the lion’s share of the £1.1m expended on the operation – paid for the use of officers from other forces to help with extensive searches and inquiries.
Local officers received £320,000 in overtime payments during the three-week exercise while hotel bills and catering fees amounted to £120,000.
A spokesman for the two counties force said it hoped to claw back its expenses at the end of the financial year.
The Middlemoor spokesman said this week: ‘Figures released under Freedom of Information have revealed the total cost of £1.1m regarding the guarding and search work in connection with the terrorism investigation led by the Metropolitan Police in Exminster last year.’
The spokesman added: ‘The operation totalled almost 34,000 officer hours, the equivalent of 2,810 officer days.
‘This work was undertaken by officers from Devon and Cornwall, plus mutual aid being offered from 35 forces across the UK including Avon & Somerset, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire to police this major counter-terrorism operation which lasted 18 days.
‘Logistically, the operation was extensive with over 70 miles of cordon tape used, 2,000 nights’ worth of accommodation supplied for the out of force support, and approaching 8,500 meals provided to those working on the operation.’
The spokesman revealed: ‘Devon and Cornwall Police will be submitting their claim shortly and are confident they will be reimbursed by the Met towards the end of the financial year.’
Ciaran Maxwell, 30 and from Northern Ireland, shared a home in Exminster with his partner and child. He was arrested last summer in connection with alleged weapons offences.
He is due to stand trial on February 27.