Police face legal costs burden

Oct 8 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

IN TODAY’S society, the number of people turning to their lawyers on the slightest pretext seems to be on the increase. The burgeoning "compensation culture" has seen to that.

It is perfectly proper, of course, that those with a legitimate grievance should be able to seek redress. If anyone has been wronged in any way, they must be able to pursue their case through the courts and claim the compensation that is rightfully theirs.

But questions must inevitably be asked when the mounting cost of such claims, particularly the bill for opposing those people who are simply trying it on, becomes a massive drain on the public purse.

Merseyside Police is the perfect example. We want to see the force provide cost-effective cover for the region, with officers on the streets, fully- manned and technologically advanced control rooms, and sufficient civilian personnel to ensure a dedicated back-up service in the fight against crime.

Today we reveal, however, that the force has spent £20m over the past seven years on compensation payments and associated legal fees.

Furthermore, eight out of 10 of the cases involved ultimately fail – but the police must still take up valuable time and money dealing with them.

Twenty per cent of cases do, however, prove to have been justified, whether it be for wrongful arrest, malicious prosec- ution, false imprisonment or whatever.

We would have no quibble with the costs involved in such cases, other than to say that we share senior officers’ hopes that they can reduce the amount paid out in such circumstances by as much as possible.

Indeed, it is good to see that Merseyside Police routinely attempts to identify trends in any claims made against them, and reviews staff training and procedures as a result.

After all, if the money swallowed up by court cases can be reduced, even more will be available for effective policing, for the benefit of the entire community, rather than just a few litigious individuals.