NEWTON Abbot police say they cannot afford to police next year's carnival.

Insp Mark Backhouse told Newton Abbot Town Council that the bill for policing the carnival parade last month came to £1,500.

'I used 16 members of staff including myself. Ten police officers were brought into work that day and worked four to five hours. For any other organisation, that would cost £1,500.

'I am unable to support that level of resources next year,' he said at last week's meeting.

Insp Backhouse added that he gave his time free.

He suggested that the carnival committee recruited more marshals to direct traffic and other duties, previously performed by police officers.

Cllr Keith Smith pointed out that the carnival was not for profit and should not be charged commercial rates.

'Although I understand the financial constraints, to view the carnival in the same way as a commercial enterprise is wrong. Community endeavour should be supported by community policing and there should not be a charge for it,' he said.

Afterwards carnival committee chairman Cllr Mike Ryan told the Advertiser that it was getting more and more difficult to stage community events.

'Everyone wants money. Devon County Council wants money for road closures, the police want money and we had to pay £270 public liability insurance.

'I've got every sympathy with the police and we are grateful for the help he did give us at carnival time and that he gave his time free.

'We can't afford £1,500 – we've not got the sponsorship and with the credit crunch, firms are cutting back.'

He said they were due to meet Insp Backhouse in September and will look at ways of simplifying the carnival route, for instance cutting out Balls Corner. They will also aim to recruit more marshals.

'It's getting more and more difficult to stage a carnival. Every year the authorities are putting more obstacles in our way.

'Even on Remembrance Sunday we had to pay Devon County Council to close the road.'