Guernsey emergency services' spending up £180,000

The cost of running Guernsey's police force and fire service increased by more than £180,000 in 2010, States accounts show.

A variety of factors have been identified including pay changes and the rising cost of fuel.

The costs of running the fire service increased by £113,000, about 3%. The service's budget for 2009 was in the region of £3.5m

Spending on the police force was up by £70,000, less than 1%.

Interpreter costs

The States' accounts said a pay increase given to firefighters which was backdated to July 2010 was the main reason for its costs increase.

However, the budget was also affected because fuel bills have risen by 14%.

Heavy snowfall at the end of the year also meant more staff overtime.

For police, the main reasons for the rise were described as the increase in the cost of interpreters, custody medical charges and the use of forensic services.

A new pay deal for officers which had changed overtime pay should result in savings in future, the States said.