OVERTIME paid to police officers in Suffolk soared by close to £1.5million this year as a result of the red light killings. Figures obtained by The Evening Star following a freedom of information request show the amount paid to officers for working outside their normal shifts jumped from £2.17m to £3.46m in the space of a year.

OVERTIME paid to police officers in Suffolk soared by close to £1.5million this year as a result of the red light killings.

Figures obtained by The Evening Star following a freedom of information request show the amount paid to officers for working outside their normal shifts jumped from £2.17million to £3.46million in the space of a year.

During last December's investigation into the red light killings officers in Suffolk worked tirelessly to pursue leads.

Extra shifts were worked, leave was cancelled and police officers were drafted in from around the county.

A police spokeswoman said: “The main reason for this increase is the unprecedented investigation into the deaths of five young women in Ipswich at the end of last year.

“Our officers and staff from across the whole force were working under immense pressure, involving long hours.

“The Home Office has provided Suffolk Police with a specific grant to cover a substantial proportion of these associated costs.”

Between April 2004 and March 2005 £2,170,815 was paid out for police officers working overtime.

This figure dropped slightly between April 2005 and March 2006, when the total was £2,040,851.

However this year it rose sharply to £3,466,550 after five young women went missing and were later found dead in rural spots close to the town.

The total cost of the red light investigation has run into millions of pounds.

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