The rising cost of policing Gatwick airport is being scrutinised by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.

Talks between the airport and Sussex Police Authority broke down when the two sides could not agree a figure for the future cost of providing the airport's Gatwick Division.

The British Airports Authority (BAA), owner and operator of Gatwick, has called in Mr Darling to rule on whether it is being charged a fair rate.

BAA pays for Sussex Police to operate an entire division at Gatwick, combating terrorism and organised crime, providing day-to-day policing and emergency response.

The operator, which refused to say how much it cost, claims it can increase passenger numbers without necessarily increasing the number of police officers.

The number of passengers passing through Gatwick every year is expected to rise from 31 million to 45 million over the next ten years.

Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Williams said: "Sussex Police enjoys excellent working relationships with BAA London Gatwick and despite the current difficulty, both sides remain fully committed to providing a safe environment at the airport."

He said they were working together to increase security following the London terrorist attacks and security and safety remained paramount.

He said: "The travelling public and members of the airport community can be assured security is being adequately resourced with support from other parts of Sussex Police where necessary."

A BAA spokesman said: "We take a forensic approach when looking at all our operating costs and policing is part of that exercise.

"We will be rigorous when looking at those costs and that's what our shareholders, our clients and the air traveller would expect us to do.

"We have the same problem as the police with our own internal security.

Passenger numbers could double but that would not mean doubling security staff.

"We need to examine ways of achieving efficiencies and increasing productivity."

Airport managing director Paul Griffiths said: "I would like to reassure travellers that we take safety and security of Gatwick seriously and we continue to work in close co-operation with Sussex Police to make sure this is maintained at a high level."