Taxpayers pick up bill for police music licence

Of the 45 police forces across England and Wales that were asked for information, Thames Valley Police paid the second-highest total, beaten only by the Metropolitan Police who spent £246,297.
The statistics also showed that neighbouring force Hampshire paid £312, while Wiltshire Police were one of four forces to pay nothing.
In total, police forces in England and Wales spent £660,952 on fees.
The licence payments are collected by The Performing Right Society (PRS), which then pays royalties to the artists.
A spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police said: “It is a requirement for Thames Valley Police to pay for this licence. However, the force can claim back VAT on music licence payments.
“It is necessary to have this licence in order to allow music to be played within any Thames Valley Police building, at ceremonies, or for any training purposes.”
The force added that no review would take place and refused to comment when asked why neighbouring forces’ fees were lower.
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We used to play music a few years ago but when it emerged how much it was costing we held a review and now we don’t play it.”
The statistics were obtained by Robert Foulds, the clerk of Bramley Parish Council in Rotherham, South Yorkshire earlier this year through a freedom of information request.