Where do I go from here......

[lilacgirl]

We were burgled early May 08, late May 08 an item from our burglary was recovered in a house search. I identified the item at the police station and proved it was ours - not least because it was engraved with my daughter's name! The police requested to hold onto the item until the case went to court, however, I have subsequently found out the case never went to court as there was insufficient evidence. In the meantime, I was waiting for the police to contact me when the case went to court (or not) to inform me that I could collect said item. They never did, so almost a year later I contacted the police to find out what was happening. Imagine my horror to discover that the police appear to have 'lost' the item, or more worryingly may have returned it to the 'accused'. The officer looking into this for me has suggested some form of compensation for them losing the item, of course, the insurance company have reimbursed us for the item so I'm not really expecting the full cost of the item. So, what does anyone think would be a fair amount of compensation? Answers please for example in percentage of cost of item, as you have no idea what the item is or how much it is worth! Thanks

[daffy654]

Surely if your insurance company has already paid out for the item any compensation you get would have to be paid back to the insurance company?

[lilacgirl]

I know daffy that we've been compensated for burglary in 1st place, however, the police have subsequently lost an item they were going to return to us, doesn't that qualify for some sort of compensation? Even if it's just �10 and a written apology??

[factor-fiction]

Surely if you have been compensated by your insurance company then the item now belongs to them ?

[barry1010]

A written apology should suffice. Any compensation you do get should properly go to the insurance company. You cannot be compensated twice.

[daffy654]

If you had gotten the item back you would have either had to give the item to the insurance company or repaid the value to them.

[paraffin]

daffy and factor are correct. But barry, sorry mate, you won't get a written apology from the Police for the very simple reason that it would be them admitting liability and leaving themselves wide open for lilacgirl to sue them. It ain't gonna happen (unfortunately!)

[lilacgirl]

paraffin, would your answer be different if you knew I had it in writing that the investigating officer thinks it's the fault of the property office, and he's asking how we should go about claiming compensation?

A written apology would suffice, an admission that they've made an error! We've had the money for the item, I'm not bothered about that - it's the principle.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

[paraffin]

Hi lilacgirl:

Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. I'm certainly sympathetic to your situation, however, I have personal experience of the Police Service and would be extremely surprised were you to receive an admission of culpability, that's all.

You may well have some written comment from the officer in the case to the effect that he holds the property department to account, but as far as I can glean, without having all the details, he's merely giving you an opinion.

For example, just playing Devil's Advocate for a moment, how do you know that HIS incompetence has not caused your property to go astray and he's not just trying to deflect the blame? Without you, or your insurance company, having access to the Police records, all you have is what you're being told, apparently.

I can understand why you accepted the insurance payout, but by doing so you have probably unwittingly also given up your ownership to the property. And if your ins co aren't too bothered, you'll probably never get to the bottom of what became of your property.

I wish you the best of luck.

[up4it]

Sue them and hold them accountable
- the police should not be above the law and any incompetance should be highlighted

I am sure the Police would be quick enough to persue the issue if it was the other way round

[factor-fiction]

Sue them for what, up4it? The only people who could sue are the insurance company as the items belonged to them