A recent protest incident at the UK Parliament involving a demonstrator scaling the iconic Elizabeth Tower, also known as Big Ben, has sparked debate about the cost of policing major incidents in London. The event, which took place on March 8, 2025, saw a pro-Palestinian supporter breach security measures and ascend the tower.
Breakdown of Costs
Thanks to a query raised by Assembly Member Alex Wilson on March 20, a detailed breakdown of the policing and emergency services costs associated with the incident has been released.
The total cost of policing the protest and handling the aftermath amounts to £190,786.96. This figure includes the following:
- Opportunity costs: £169,856.87
- Overtime costs: £20,000 (estimated)
- Internal Fleet costs: £930.09
These costs were incurred as part of the large-scale emergency response required when the protestor, identified as Daniel Day, breached security and climbed the tower.
Emergency Resource Deployment
According to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), most of the emergency assets were redeployed from central resources. Additional resources were called in from several London boroughs, including:
Specialist rope-trained officers from Gravesend were also deployed to manage the situation. The MPS Tactical Support Group (TSG) public order reserves were redirected from their usual duties to focus on this incident.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was also heavily involved, deploying 20 assets including aerial appliances, fire and rescue units, and National Interagency Liaison Officers. The LFB calculated its cost of attendance using the Special Service charge protocol, estimating the commercial premises cost at £430 per hour. The total cost was calculated at £30,960 excluding VAT, and £37,152 including VAT.
Reaction and Public Discourse
The incident has reignited public discourse about the financial and resource burden placed on emergency services during high-profile protests. Oliver Laurence, a Police & Crime Commentator, remarked on social media that such acts of “criminality” have a significant financial impact on London taxpayers, stating:
“This should remind us all of the burden these protestors are having, not just with their protests but these ridiculous acts of criminality.”
While the protestor, Daniel Day, has denied any wrongdoing, the incident has drawn criticism from political commentators and members of the public alike, especially given the high cost and strain on emergency services.
Moving Forward
Authorities are now assessing how to better manage and deter similar incidents in the future. Discussions around increased security measures at key parliamentary sites are underway. Meanwhile, the public continues to debate whether such protests warrant the extensive use of taxpayer-funded emergency resources.
