IT has emerged that policing the badger cull in Dorset cost more than £500,000.

Dorset Police has published figures showing that policing the controversial cull in 2017 cost £555,426.

The badger cull first began in Dorset in 2015, although culling did not take place in all three areas in the county licensed for the slaughter during the first year. Information published by DEFRA revealed that 4,873 badgers were culled across three licensed areas in Dorset.

Policing costs worked out at £918 per badger killed in the first year. With the cull area widened and more animals killed, the cost per animal killed in 2017 stood at just under £114.

However, Dorset Police said there have been no policing costs borne by Dorset Police in relation to the 2018 badger cull, due to an agreement on cost recovery between Dorset Police, The Home Office and DEFRA.

A spokesman said that DEFRA 'paid in full' for all policing activities connected with the 2018 cull and that it would publish the total policing bill in April 2019 'in a spirit of openness'.

In a statement it said the force is responsible for law and order and must also facilitate peaceful assembly and protest.

"Some peaceful protests may not require police attendance. However, it will be for the relevant police commander to determine the nature of any police response and this response will be based on information and intelligence known at the time, and on a threat, risk and harm assessment basis."

The force said the 2018 cull police resources were less than in previous years.

The police's handling of protestors has been praised by one of them, Ian Mortimer, who said the Dorset force were 'excellent'.

"They are the model of how this should be done," he said. "We have a great working liaison with them. However, it shows what a total waste of money and time this badger cull is."