'Victims of crime being robbed twice' - Tope

11.58.00am GMT Thu 20th Dec 2007

The MPA has suspended charging Londoners as part of Operation Recovery following concerns raised by Liberal Democrat Policing Spokesman on the London Assembly, Graham Tope.

The MPS has made over £180,000 in 2006 from the public for returning stolen vehicles. This is compared to just £3000 in 2003. The MPS gained this money from just five boroughs as part of a pilot scheme called Operation Recovery. It involves charging Londoners for the safe recovery and storage of their vehicles.

Commenting on these figures, Graham Tope said:

"Victims of crime in London have been robbed twice. By charging to recover stolen property, people are being punished for their misfortune. Londoners already pay for policing and few feel these extra costs are justifiable.

'If the Met is so keen on improving public satisfaction with the police, they should think about the impact of penalising honest Londoners.

'The MPA has criticised the Met in the past for charging Londoners to recover their property. However, these criticisms seem to have been ignored. I am pleased that these charges have been stopped. Londoners deserve a full investigation into the money received by the MPS."

ENDS

Notes to the Editors

1. Figures obtained by London Assembly Liberal Democrats through Mayor's Questions on 12/12/07. The MPS has directly received the following net payments for lost or stolen vehicles.

Year (financial) Net payment (£)

2003 3,165

2004 46,924

2005 74,501

2006 183,038

2. The five boroughs who worked as part of the pilot scheme are Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark, Bromley and Croydon.