Taxpayers forked put £700,000 for police vehicle write-offs, figures show

Police vehicles written off in crashes and other incidents cost taxpayers in Yorkshire more than £700,000 last year, figures have revealed.
Police vehicles written off in incidents last year cost hundreds of thousands, figures showPolice vehicles written off in incidents last year cost hundreds of thousands, figures show
Police vehicles written off in incidents last year cost hundreds of thousands, figures show

Data from three of the region’s four police forces, provided in response to Freedom of Information requests, shows vehicles worth £706,454.15 were damaged beyond economic repair in 2019/20.

Vehicles can be damaged as a result of crashes, as well vandalism by members of the public.

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In September 2019, a crime scene investigation van was set on fire in Leeds while officers attended a scene following reports of criminal damage.

West Yorkshire Police had 50 of its vehicle fleet written off during 2019/20, with the combined pre-accident value of the vehicles standing at £295,137.

Among these was a BMW X5, which was the most expensive vehicle to be written off by any of the region’s forces. Of the marked and unmarked vehicles written off, 23 were already due for replacement. It means 27 had to be replaced when otherwise not necessary, amounting to a bill of £385,000.

The force said there were occasionally circumstances where damage was inevitably incurred while carrying out duties to protect the public.

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another vehicle in these circumstances is reviewed to make sure that the officer involved has used these tactics appropriately. Our pursuit vehicles are also fitted with cameras so collisions which occur during a pursuit can be scrutinised.

“The cost of replacing police vehicles also includes damage caused by police officers and PCSOs in the course of their duties, which do not involve pursuits.”