[Londoner]

POLICE are refusing to provide security for eviction nights on next year’s Big Brother.

The move follows a row over the £14,500 bill for a police inquiry into alleged racism during the celebrity version of the show.

Programme makers Endemol are refusing to pay because they say the investigation was not necessary.

The row has meant policing contracts between Endemol and Hertfordshire Police have not been signed.

The force carried out the inquiry after comments made about Bolly*wood star Shilpa Shetty by housemates Jade Goody, Jo O’Meara and Danielle Lloyd.

It wants Endemol to foot the bill because of the “uniqueness” of the investigation and to save taxpayers’ money. The production company insists the investigation was not valid and it should not have to pay.

Hertfordshire Police Authority backs the claim and has vowed to continue pressing for payment.

A report to the authority by deputy chief constable Simon Parr states: “It is our belief that the editorial decision taken by Endemol to broadcast the material had a direct impact on the Constabulary, creating an enormous amount of extra work, over and above what would normally be expected to deal with this type of incident.” Last year Endemol paid the force £115,983 for policing, mainly at evictions, but the authority has so far refused to sign an agreement with Endemol for policing the next series and is demanding further talks over future arrangements and the unsettled investigation fee.

Mr Parr’s report also criticised the company for not handing over unbroadcast footage to help police inquiries.

It described two previous police investigations linked to Big Brother – to determine whether Dead or Alive singer Pete Burns was wearing a coat made of endangered gorilla fur, and into an alleged assault – as normal police work. However, the race investigation was different in nature, it said.

A statement from Channel 4 said: “The decision to investigate Celebrity Big Brother was made solely by Hertfordshire Police and no charges were brought.

“Endemol and Channel 4 made it clear they did not believe this was an appropriate matter for police investigation, a view later confirmed by the Crown Prosecution Service. As such, we do not believe Endemol or Channel 4 should bear responsibility for costs incurred by this investigation.”

Hertfordshire Police spokesman Lynsey Barry said: “There was an investigation as a result of the programme and we have asked for the costs of this to be met by Endemol.

“The request has been refused and the issue has gone to the police authority. It is likely it will go back to Endemol and ask that it is paid again.”

Mrs Barry added: “Each investigation is looked at on a case-by-case basis. It is not usual for us to ask companies for the cost of an investigation into them. However, there are unique circumstances in this case.

“If Celebrity Big Brother had not been on TV there would have been no investigation to make and costs would not have been incurred. The programme maker also did not co-operate with us fully, and this cost us even more money.”

The show attracted 45,000 complaints, as well as criticism from watchdog Ofcom.

In May, the watchdog found that Channel 4 had made “serious editorial misjudgments” in its handling of the race row and ordered the broadcaster to make a high-profile on-air apology at the start of the present series.

The channel apologised and said it accepted Ofcom’s ruling, as did Endemol, which said it “sincerely regretted the level of offence caused”.

[Londoner]

So there will be a Big Brother next year!

[Conzors]

we all knew there was..

cozthere buidling a new house it hertfordshire

[andybigbro]

Police

[spacebandit]

Originally posted by Londoner
So there will be a Big Brother next year!

Not without a police presence - thats the law, so £ndemol will have to fork out the cash.

[natjake2504]

uuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Lemo]

Hmph stupid twits. (the police)

if theres any harm to anyone dont go blaming it on edmole.

and the next bb house isnt in heartfordshire i dont think (shame i only like 10-30 minutes away from the house because im cool )

[Matt]

Rawr, I believe Endemol are currently in negotiations with the local council to keep their current site