£300,000 bill for police translation

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Spalding police's dealings with migrant workers and other foreign language speakers has contributed to a county-wide bill of £300,000 for translation services.

The force must provide translation services to anyone arrested or questioned who either cannot speak or needs helping understanding English.

Some of the languages services offered include Bulgarian and Vietnamese.

Lincolnshire Police spokesman Stuart Binn said translating for suspects and witnesses was a vital service.

He said some costs could be claimed back in some cases, such as immigration inquiries.

Translations have cost the force more than £190,000 since April this year - an average of £900 a day.

The force spent a total of £317,421 between April 2007 and 2008.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust spent £6,200 on translation in the same period.

A police spokesman said: "We have a duty of care to victims and witnesses and to ensure that alleged offenders receive fair treatment under the criminal justice system - this can only be achieved through clear communication."

"Lincolnshire Police is also conscious of the financial implications of interpretation services, and is determined to provide these in the most cost effective way possible."