Pensioner cops bill after false alarm (Hexham Liberal Democrats)

Hexham Liberal Democrats <info@hexhamlibdems.org.uk>

Pensioner cops bill after false alarm

January 19, 2012 12:39 PM
Originally published by Fiona Hall MEP

A Newcastle pensioner has been left with a £600 bill after a neighbourly mistake led to police smashing down his door.

When neighbours raised concerns about Nicolas Hunter's whereabouts, police forcibly entered his property, only to discover he was away on holiday. Upon his return Mr Hunter faced the double shock of having to replace his front door and being told the police would not help with the cost.

Mr Hunter said,

"You can imagine the upset this has caused. I get back from holiday and find chipboard where my front door should be. And now the police are refusing to pay for the damage, leaving me with a £600 bill to pay.

"I know the police had good intentions but it's completely unreasonable to leave people like me high and dry. I'm hundreds of pounds out of pocket through no fault of my own."

Mr Hunter has now enlisted the help of Euro MP Fiona Hall who is challenging Home Office rules on his behalf after extensive discussions with Northumbria Police.

Fiona said,

"I have no doubt the police acted within the rules, but I am afraid that the rules are too rigid. When people report concerns about a neighbour's welfare, it is often an elderly or vulnerable individual they are worried about - the very people who can least afford £600 plus to get a door replaced.

"There needs to be funding available to help people like Mr Hunter. I have written to the Police Minister Nick Herbert expressing my concern and calling for the Code of Practice to be made more flexible so there is leeway to pay for repairs even where the police have acted correctly."