Tuesday 9 February 2010

Victim Of Crime..? That'll Be £150 Please...

As the jubilation in the ranks continues, no doubt some questions are being asked in management circles about whether the Dizaei affair will reduce confidence in the police.

It won't. But this will:
A mother had to pay £150 to recover her car from a police compound.

But Sarah McDonald- Lee hadn't been parked illegally and there was nothing wrong with her car.
So, why the bill? And why did the police have her car?

Well...
Her 'crime' was to see her little daughter being driven away at high speed during a carjacking.

Fortunately three-year-old Sophie and the car were traced within 20 minutes - and Mrs McDonald-Lee has nothing but praise for how officers handled the terrifying incident.
As you would.

Until this:
But her relief and joy has turned to anger. After the Vauxhall Zafira was towed away for forensic examination a terse letter arrived from the recovery firm hired by Nottinghamshire Police.

It said Mrs McDonald-Lee had to pay £150 to get her car back because it had been 'abandoned'. It also warned she could be charged £20-a-day storage.

Thinking it was all a mistake, she contacted police, only to be told that it was 'policy' to charge owners for vehicle recovery.
She paid (well, she needs the car) and is now lodging a complaint.

She shouldn't need to.
A police spokesman said the force had a policy requiring owners to pay when abandoned vehicles were recovered from the roadside. The spokesman added: 'These matters are set down in legislation.'
Oh, FFS..! Robocop had more humanity and concern for the customer...

If the legislation really does allow this, then the legislation needs to be changed.

17 comments:

ashtrayhead said...

It used to be that if the vehicle was removed for forensication at the request of the police, then the police would foot the bill! (No pun intended)

Dungeekin said...

There was another recent instance of this reported in MCN.

A biker had his motorcycle nicked from his front garden, tried to fight the recovery charge - and was arrested as a result.

D

Furor Teutonicus said...

So what happens to all these extra pounds that are added to peoples fines for "the victims of crime"?

And what is with the insurance?

UNLESS the stupid bastards insist it was not "theft" and the insurance does not cover T&DA.

Furor Teutonicus said...

Ah. That is "Take and drive away".

Macheath said...

When my car was stolen and burnt ten years ago, the police took full responsibility for disposal - in fact they were very helpful all round.

Last year, thieves stole two motorbikes belonging to a relative; the police sent a substantial bill for storage and disposal of the burnt-out remains (expressing regret that the law obliged them to do so).

Ergo the relevant legislation must be courtesy of NuLab.Quelle surprise!

Dick Puddlecote said...

Good grief. Labour laws never cease to amaze and disgust at the same time.

Furor Teutonicus said...

From Dungeekins link;

An Essex Police spokesman said: “A 46-year-old man was arrested on January 6 for a public order offence of harassment.

"He was later released having admitted the offence and agreeing to be dealt with by means of a caution.”


DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!

NO. Let them take it to bloody court.

It is the ONLY way that these stupid bastards will be "taught their lesson".

Lets see how they like it when EVERY person this kind of thing happens to, takes them to court over it.

Don't pay the money. Set solicitors onto it. If asked to accept a caution, say "NO!". They will soon get sick and tired of having to pay costs.

AntiCitizenOne said...

In ZanuLabourLand it's property Owners that are the real villains.

New Labour is a total moral inversion.

blueknight said...

The 'Police' do not have any room in their back yards for all the stolen recovered cars so the collection and storage goes out to private tender.
Apparently the charge can be claimed back on the insurance(?)but the problem is that the garage usually want hard cash before they let the car go.

JuliaM said...

"It used to be that if the vehicle was removed for forensication at the request of the police, then the police would foot the bill! (No pun intended)"

As it should be in all cases of crime.

"A biker had his motorcycle nicked from his front garden, tried to fight the recovery charge - and was arrested as a result."

Oh, FFS!

"Ergo the relevant legislation must be courtesy of NuLab."

Naturally!

"NO. Let them take it to bloody court."

Indeed. Far too many people meekly accept a caution, not realising their rights.

JuliaM said...

"New Labour is a total moral inversion."

Can't see the Toriers changing this either...

"Apparently the charge can be claimed back on the insurance..."

I wonder what that does to your premiums?

Furor Teutonicus said...

I wonder what that does to your premiums?

But that is what it is FOR.

If you want a savings account go to a bank.

But think about that.

You pay insurance (Theft/fire) for years. Then make a small claim, couple of hundred, which nackers your "no claims bonus, so adds to your premiums.

So THAT means they are NOT paying for that damages from what you have contributed, but merely LOANING you the money. Until, through higher premiums, you have paid it back. OR even worse, you will be paying it back for EVER if you have motor insurance that long.

So WHAT have you been paying for?

You could go to a credit company and get the same money to cover the damage, at much less pay back.

Or do I need to cut down on the coffee?

JuliaM said...

"Or do I need to cut down on the coffee?"

No, I think that sums up the insurance game quite well! Even worse if when they put up your premiums for something OTHER people do...

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