Star comment: Victims of crime pay the price
You have something stolen. The police do their job and track it down for you.
And then you are told that if you want it back, you have to pay up.
So initially you are a victim of a crime, and then you are a financial victim, as if crime fighting is a business and not a service.
This has all been highlighted by the case of Mel Williams, of Morda, who had his Ford Escort XR3 stolen from outside his home.
It was found nearby and taken away for forensic examination by a recovery service company used by the police.
When Mr Williams called the recovery service he was told he would have to pay a £250 fee for the car. On top of that, the car needs repairs.
"We are here to protect victims of crime, and it leaves a very sour taste in the mouth."
Indeed it does – and that quote comes from Barrie Sheldon, deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia Police.
Mr Sheldon says the assumption seems to be that the insurance company will cover this fee.
Well, we have all seen the reports of how insurance claims are putting up the premiums of everyone else. This is a case of the forces of law and order contributing to that problem.
It goes against the whole ethos of the police, and emergency services generally, which is that everybody pays towards them because we all have a stake in collective protection.
If crime victims have to pay directly for the resolution of their own particular cases, it is a financial disincentive to effective crime fighting.
The owner of a cheap banger that has been stolen might as well not bother reporting it because even if it is found it is not worth the cost of getting it back.
The West Mercia Police slogan is: Serving. Protecting. Making The Difference.
They might now add: And Making You Pay Up.
