The security operation at a polling station set up in Salford for the Iraqi general election cost Greater Manchester Police more than £150,000.

The sum included officers’ overtime and use of the force helicopter. Riot squad officers, police on horseback and officers with evidence-recording cameras were deployed.

Around 16,000 Iraqi expatriates travelled to Swinton after the Vanguard mill, off Lees Street, Swinton, was controversially chosen as one of only three areas in the country for a polling station.

There were nine arrests and ‘minor disorder’ over three days last weekend, police said, adding that bosses were ‘in negotiation’ to recoup the total costs.

A spokesman said: “The policing operation cost the force in excess of £150,000 and we are in negotiations with the Home Office to recover that.”

It is expected that the bill will be settled by the High Electoral Commission for Iraq, and not the taxpayer. The overall cost is believed to be even higher if costs borne by Salford council are considered.

The council – which said it was powerless to intervene in the chosen location – closed roads, suspended parking and delivered leaflets to residents.

As revealed in the M.E.N this week, the council will now write to the government claiming town hall planners should have been given a say and were told of the plans at too short notice.

The owners of the mill struck a private deal with organisers, and many residents complained about traffic and noise.

The council said it would also seek to recover its costs. Council leader John Merry called the site ‘totally inadequate’.

More than 20 million Iraqi voters – including an estimated 1.9m outside the country – took part in the elections, the second national poll since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003.