Vehicle theft victims forced to pay police £1m for return of goods
Victims of vehicle theft have been forced to fork out almost £1 million to get their property back from Staffordshire Police since 2011.
New figures show 5,782 motorists have paid the force £933,862 in recovery and storage charges over at time.
In the past 12 months alone, £172,057 was handed over, compared to £129,965 in 2016/17.
In 2015/16, £99,335 was paid out.
The data comes from a Freedom of Information request.
Councillor Sue Woodward, opposition leader at Staffordshire County Council, said victims of crime are being used as ‘cash cows’.
She added: “It is appalling as it makes victims pay for the costs of having been a victim of crime.
“It is a hidden income, which should have been made available to the public in the past.
“Victims should not be seen as cash cows to help fill gaps in the police budgets.
“I think everybody would be horrified that victims are having to pay for the consequences of a crime.”
Motorists can be charged between £150 and £6,000 in recovery costs, depending on the size and type of vehicle stolen.
A vehicle ‘without substantial damage’ and ‘on the road’ can be recovered from £150 to £350, with the exact cost depending on the weight of the vehicle.
Charges are higher for vehicles that are damaged, while heavier vehicles – like HGVs – exceeding 18 tonnes can cost owners as much as £4,500 to get back.
The most expensive charge is for vehicles over 18 tonnes, which are substantially damaged and ‘not upright’.
Drivers of vehicles not exceeding three-and-a-half tonnes are expected to pay between £150 and £300.
Staffordshire Police said the charges are set by the Home Office.
It comes after the number of vehicle thefts across the county went up from 1,100 in 2013 to 1,180 in 2016 – a seven per cent increase.
Meanwhile, West Midlands Police saw a 43 per cent rise to 5,930 in 2016 – up from 4,161 three years before.
