Shropshire's police boss to check into £250 car theft bill
The police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia Police today pledged to look into the case of a car theft victim who was forced to pay £250 to get his vehicle back.
Mel Williams, from Morda, near Oswestry, was delighted to hear that his 25-year-old Ford Escort XR3, stolen from outside his home, had been found.
But the 51-year-old, who works at Terry's Autos in Chirk, said he was left amazed that he was being left with the recovery bill.
Today Barrie Sheldon, deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia Police, has said the office will look into the matter.
Mr Sheldon said: "It is something myself and Bill Longmore, the commissioner, take very seriously and we had a similar complaint a few weeks back.
"I think the assumption is that the insurance company will cover this fee, but it is something myself and Bill are now going to look into, because we are here to protect victims of crime and it leaves a very sour taste in the mouth.
Comfort
"It does not make the police look very good either, so we will take stock of the situation."
The car was traced to College Road, Oswestry, and taken away for forensic examination by a recovery service company used by the police.
Mr Williams said he later called the recovery service to ask for the car back and was told he would have to pay a £250 fee.
He said: "The car was taken at about 3am on Monday. The police came to the door at about 3.50am to tell me the car had been stolen but they had arrested three lads and had found the car. The next day I called the recovery service to ask when I could have it back. They said they police were doing forensic work on it in the yard.
"I called them back later and they said the forensic work had been done. They said I could have the car back but the steering column had been ripped out, the bumper was hanging a bit and the lights were damaged. They said I had to pay £250 to cover the cost of its recovery. I was amazed. I am the victim here and have done nothing wrong but I am expected to pay out. I never asked for the car to be taken away. I will have to pay to repair the damage anyway."
Inspector Rik Klair at West Mercia Police told the Shropshire Star on Saturday: "We are aware of the matter and are looking into the full circumstances."
Star comment: Victims of crime pay the price
