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Request compensation for something the police have done

In some situations, you might be able to claim for compensation for something the police have done that was accidental or unlawful in some way.

Compensation is unlikely to be paid if the damage or injury was caused by the police acting lawfully.

What you can apply for

You can ask the police for compensation for things like:

  • lost or damaged property (eg, the police took your mobile phone to get evidence from it and you didn't get it back)
  • forced entry (eg, the police were given the wrong address and broke down your front door by mistake)
  • road traffic collision (eg, while carrying out a lawful chase, a police car swerved and damaged your parked car)
  • wrongful arrest (eg, you believe there was no legal reason for the police to arrest you)

How to apply

Write to:

Insurance Unit
Finance & Commercial Services
PO Box 3167
Stafford
ST16 9JZ

Please include the following information:

  • your full name and contact details (including postal address, phone number and your email address, if possible)
  • your case or report number (if you have one) and as much information as you can provide about the incident you are claiming for (eg, date, location)
  • the name or shoulder/collar number of any officer, staff member or volunteer involved
  • your reasons for claiming compensation and the amount (even if it's only an estimate) that you are claiming

What happens after you’ve applied

We'll reply with a reference number and the name, phone number and email address of the lawyer, claims handler or other person dealing with your claim.

In some cases we may send your claim to external solicitors to handle on our behalf. In this case they will write to you with this information. From that point, please correspond with the person handling the claim, always remembering to quote your reference number.

We'll investigate any genuine claim against us and we try to resolve most claims without needing to start legal proceedings. In fact, the courts expect both parties to attempt to resolve disputes without going to court.

This is why we ask you to give full details of your claim and to allow us a reasonable time to investigate and negotiate before you start legal proceedings against us.

Some claims against us will follow these civil procedure rules (CPR).

Legal proceedings

If you do decide to start legal proceedings against us, please send the details to:

Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police
Insurance Unit
Finance & Commercial Services
PO Box 3167
Stafford
ST16 9JZ

Staffordshire Police Legal Services department is authorised to act on behalf of the chief constable for all civil proceedings, including judicial review and other civil claims.