No pay-out by police after officers smash van window
A self-confessed eccentric whose vehicle was broken into by police under anti-terrorism laws is considering legal action against them after being refused compensation.
Tim Pppppppppprice, who made headlines earlier this year when he elongated his name by deed poll to avoid cold-calling telephone salesmen, had left his Ford Transit parked in a London street in June, while he took the Tube.
Suspicious officers called to the scene found it parked bearing political slogans and containing a life-sized female mannequin.
Wires from a cigarette lighter AC/DC converter were seen poking out from under a towel.
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He returned to find glass from a smashed window in the driver's footwell and a note saying it had been broken into by officers responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle.
Mr Pppppppppprice, 49, of New Parks Boulevard, Leicester, wrote to the police days later demanding £200 compensation for repairing the smashed window.
After an acknowledgement letter received within days of his claim, last week he received a response from the Metropolitan Police's directorate of legal services turning down his claim.
The letter said that under the 2000 Terrorism Act, police had followed the correct procedures and he was not entitled to any compensation.
The letter added that compensation was only considered where there was neglect, but in this case the police action was "lawful, proportionate and justified" and they were unable to make any compensation claim out of public funds.
Mr Pppppppppprice said: "The letter says they were following correct procedure.
"They weren't," he claimed.
"If they had suspected the van contained an improvised explosive device, they should have cordoned off the area and evacuated buildings which were just a few feet away.
"I didn't even put a claim in for the mannequin which they damaged, which would cost about £400 to replace because I thought they would agree to pay for the damage to the window. In hindsight I wish I had claimed for that, too."
Since he received the letter denying him compensation, he has contacted by telephone the Metropolitan Police's complaints line.
He added: "They've told me they will investigate, but if I don't get a satisfactory response I will follow it up with a solicitor and I am considering taking legal action."
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "The Met's Directorate of Legal Services received a claim for compensation for a damaged window.
"The claim was rejected on the grounds that the police action taken was lawful, proportionate and justified under the Terrorism Act 2000."
Comments
by buschka
Thursday, October 11 2012, 4:56PM
“@Likeitalot My wife knows this man. Apparently he is a really nice bloke who took in a homeless man off the streets. The frumpy old maids are the typical stuffy types posting negative comments about people they dont know simply because they are jealous they are not in the headlines themselves. The police did NOT follow correct procedure so he SHOULD be compensated.”
by truthtooth
Thursday, October 11 2012, 4:50PM
“a check by police on the reg would ve let them know all about this van . its had lots of "messages" wrote on it over time . its known to the police . they knew whos van it was . the terrorist link is feeble by the police .the police should pay for his window , the court costs and police time shouldnt be wasted on this case by hiding behind a very very thin veil link to terrorism . they (police) knew all about this van as most of people who drive up npb do .”
by LikeItaLot
Thursday, October 11 2012, 4:08PM
“by buschka
Thursday, October 11 2012, 2:51AM
."Hee hee. I just LOOOVE the way this guy winds up the frumpy old maids. THEY should be culled not the badgers. LMAO"
.
Been involved in a terrorist incident have you? Know any police who have had to deal with such things? While there is a strand of comedy in this, things might have been different. You belittle the nature of such and dishonour the memory of many who have died at the hands of car bombs.”
by Scottmason
Thursday, October 11 2012, 3:45PM
“Typical police, refusing to believe they got it wrong, just pay the man!”
by buschka
Thursday, October 11 2012, 2:51AM
“Hee hee. I just LOOOVE the way this guy winds up the frumpy old maids. THEY should be culled not the badgers. LMAO”
by lisa_mc
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 3:09PM
“I think that should be Ppppppppprat!”
by buschka
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 12:01PM
“We need MORE loonies and LESS boring people. Go TIMMY !!!”
by sansue
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 10:44AM
“Karinfall talks sense again. The world has gone mad!
Quite agree, its like those idiots in every work place in the UK who say "everyone thinks I'm mad me" which in reality means "everyone thinks I'm highly irritating and my exuberant personality masks huge insecurities and a lack of self worth"...........”
by karinfall1955
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 10:26AM
“If you are a self-confessed eccentric you are not eccentric, you are an attention seeker. True eccentrics are blissfully unaware of their condition and think its the rest of the world that is mad.”