Draw the line

I was surprised to discover that Police Scotland were charging the organisers of the Edinburgh Hogmanay event for the first time in its 22-year history (your report, 30 December) and that event organisers get charged up to £83 per hour per police officer.

I believe that the cost to football clubs has also risen dramatically.

Which begs the question: are we, the taxpayers, not already paying for these officers? Are they therefore being paid twice?

Surely the police have a duty to police the streets of Scotland already. Where does the dividing line get drawn and who draws it?

I am constantly worried that since being made into one police force for the whole of Scotland, the police seem to be getting more and more powerful. Is anyone in control of the police these days and why are none of our 
politicians questioning these charges?

Ian Murray

Broomhall Loan

Edinburgh