Big Brother police probes cost £350k

The cost of police probes linked to the Big Brother reality TV show came to around £350,000 over the past six years, it has been reported.

A BBC freedom of information request to Hertfordshire Police also revealed that the inquiry into racism allegations in the latest Celebrity Big Brother series cost just over £14,500.

In March, police announced that no arrests would be made in connection with the racism row. The Crown Prosecution Service decided that what occurred was 'clearly offensive' but 'not criminal'.

The row sparked a diplomatic incident following the treatment of the C4 show's eventual winner Shilpa Shetty.

Policing costs over the programme appear to have rocketed from £13,655 in 2002 to £115,983 last year.

The BBC reported that programme maker Endemol is meeting the costs.
No one at Endemol was available for comment.

A police spokesperson told the BBC News website: "Shortly after the programme began, it was decided that, where it was appropriate, Hertfordshire Constabulary would recover the costs for any potential investigations arising from Big Brother in addition to the overall policing charges levied on Endemol."

The figures also showed that £46,771 has been spent on police costs for the show so far this year.