Liability of Police for car damage.

[Plumley78]

My new car somehow had a drugs marker put on it in error and I was stopped by the police.
My car was driven to the police station by a police officer and the windscreen shattered on the way.
No drugs were found on me or in the car as expected and the marker has now been removed.
The insurance on the car does cover the damage but there is an £75 excess.
I have complained to the police but they have just said this could have happened at any time and there was no negligence on their part.
I would not have been on that road however if I had not been stopped.
Also the car was driven 17 miles off my route. Are the police liable for this?.

Plumley

[rojash]

Not often that I'm inclined to agree with old biil, but I think they have a fair point. If the screen shattered spontaneously, then it would have happened whoever was driving, and on whatever road.

[Davethedog]

The damage happened while it was in their charge. I think their liable. You only have their word it shattered spontaneously.

[ladybirder]

That clears that up then.

[woofgang]

Surely if it was in their custody and you had no choice, input shoud be covered by their insurance, not yours?

[woofgang]

Sorry, " it should"

[baza]

would suggest a letter to the chief constable pointing out that your car was in their "care" when the screen shattered, also advise him/her that a time limit is set and that after that you will write to your local press.

[Plumley78]

Hi 2shortplanks

The car was 3 weeks old. As far as I am aware there were no chips in the windscreen.

Plumley