West Midlands Police pay out £1.3m for breakdown tip-offs

Up to £1.3 million was made by West Midlands Police in the last two years by tipping off recovery companies about broken down cars, it was revealed today.

The force called contractors to tow away more than 50,000 vehicles in 2008 and 2009. It often receives a referral fee of £25, meaning the force was paid up to a total of £1,346,075.

Recovery firms pay a 'management fee' in return for notification of vehicles that need to be picked up from the scenes of accidents or breakdowns.

West Midlands Police today insisted the charge was not applied in every case — but refused to confirm how many payments were made or how much money the referrals had generated.

The number of cars the force referred to contractors dropped by 14 per cent in 2009, from 28,952 to 24,891.

Potential receipts from the management fee were £723,800 in 2008 and £622,275 in 2009.

The figures were released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Force spokeswoman Pav Shergill said: "The management fee is currently £25.

"West Midlands Police referred 28,952 vehicles in 2008 and 24,891 in 2009. Not all of these vehicles attract the management fee."

Paul Watters, head of roads policy for the AA, today said police forces usually agreed contracts with recovery firms to ensure the speedy removal of stricken vehicles from the roads.

He said: "The police have to clear roads quickly and are under pressure to do so from motorists.

"They are probably only too glad to do that and usually have contracts in place to make sure they can do it."

Elsewhere in the country there were wide variations in force policy.

The Met did not receive any fees while Greater Manchester Police referred 32,855 cars to recovery contractors in 2009.

However chiefs there refused to reveal the amount the force received.

Mr Watters added: "The majority of drivers are fortunate enough not to have their vehicles recovered, while those who do have their cars removed due to the police are often uninsured.

"It is all aimed at keeping the roads clear."