Police have contradicted Luton Town's claims that they are costing the Hatters more this season.

In a statement in the club's programme for the visit of Everton, Luton's board of directors said: "Running costs (with the exception of policing, stewarding and stadium) have not increased and are at a level anticipated prior to the recent takeover."

But in response to a question from the Luton News, Herald&Post and this website, Beds Police has poured cold water on part of these claims.

PC Peter Palmer, Beds Police's football liaison officer: "The police forecast that the cost of policing football matches at the Kenilworth stadium will be significantly less this season than last.

"Although policing costs rise by around two per cent annually due to inflation. Relegation from the Championship to League One, means that there are less high-risk fixtures and attendances are lower. Policing levels are continuously looked at for each fixture in light of intelligence and the recent disorder at the Nottingham Forest match could mean an increase for some fixtures."

Last season the total cost of policing at Kenilworth Road was £236,000, of which Hatters had to pay £179,000.This equates to an average of £6,666 per match.

A police spokesman said: "During the current financial year the cost of policing Luton Town Football Club matches is projected to be £172,593 of which 100 per cent is expected to be recouped from the club. This equates to an average of £5,753 per match and a 13.7 per cent decrease, not an increase as suggested by some publications.

"The reason we are able to project a 100 per cent recoup of costs this year is due to the significantly lower number of games which are deemed as high risk for which during last year Bedfordshire Police paid for other forms of policing associated with those matches i.e. extra town centre patrols, provision of mounted police officers etc."

However, the police did admit that if nuisance behaviour and protesting become more prevalent costs could well rise.

These details appear to differ from the board's statement which read: "If you support this club, would you (as a supporter) make public statements outside it urging supporters not to buy their season tickets, to boycott games, and threaten the club with protests, which have driven up the cost of both policing and stewarding games. These actions have significantly contributed not only to increased costs, but also to lost revenue."

The club and police also work closely over the number of stewards on duty at each game, and PC Palmer said that these numbers normally mirror police coverage.

Chief executive John Mitchell felt the board's comments may have been misconstrued.

He said: "The charges haven't changed, but the cost per head has gone up. That's what's being referenced.

"Where they're (the police) coming from is absolutely right. But in real terms to the football club the costs have increased. The cost equation has gone up."