The cost of policing operations at a proposed 'fracking' site in Fermanagh have been slammed by Sinn Féin.

Between 21 July and 11 August, £461,828 was spent on policing at the site near Belcoo.

SF MLA Phil Flanagan described the costs as "outrageous".

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He said: "It is wholly unacceptable that this money should come out of the public purse at a time of serious pressures to policing locally. These resources have been directed away from preventing and detecting crime in the local area. 

"The policing operation that was in place was not there for public safety or to protect citizens. It was there because of opposition locally to plans to impose fracking in an area where it clearly isn't welcome."

(CD/JP)