Lincolnshire Police has paid out almost £600,000 in claims made against them. The top five reasons for claims against the force include road traffic collisions, damaged or lost property, forced entry, unlawful arrest and false imprisonment.
Figures obtained through Freedom Of Information requests by Public Interest Lawyers found that 440 claims have been made against the force since 2019. However, this is significantly lower than the 1,299 claims that have been made against Nottinghamshire Police, which has paid out more than £1.8m since 2019.
These claims are usually made when someone feels they have been mistreated by police. However, according to the Express more than £300,000 in compensation has been paid out in the last three years by police forces across the UK who have raided the homes of innocent people.
This amount came from at least 255 separate cases of police forces battering down the wrong doors. In 2019/2020, there were 58 claims lodged against Lincolnshire Police, 28 of these were settled which is the second-lowest number of claims over the past five years.
The following year saw 44 claims made, with 19 of these being settled. However, over the past year the force has experienced a rise in claims with the total standing at 104 for 2023/204, with 27 of these settled.
Over the past five years a total of £594,547.80 has been paid out by Lincolnshire Police, including £219,948.08 in 2021/22 alone. Since 2019, compensation claims made against UK police forces can include both public claims and those brought internally by police officers and staff.
The most common reason for this is motor-based claims such as car crashes as well as property damage. Out of the claims made against Lincolnshire Police between 2019 and 2024, 135 of these are due to road traffic collisions.
However, it should be noted that the force was unable to provide road traffic collision data for 2023/24. Other top reasons include 83 claims of damaged or lost property, 45 claims of forced entry and 43 claims of unlawful arrest.
There have also been nine claims made regarding false imprisonment. Speaking to Public Interest Lawyers, JF Law solicitor Lucy Parker said: “The number of claims made against police forces in the UK shines a light on a crucial issue and highlights the importance of holding institutions accountable.
“Potential reasons to claim may include wrongful arrest, assault, malicious prosecution, or negligence however, it’s crucial to remember that each case is unique. Reasons such as property damage and forced entry by police, without lawful justification, are serious matters and can constitute a significant breach of an individual’s rights.
“If you believe the police have wronged you, it’s essential to seek legal advice promptly to understand your options and potential outcomes.” Lincolnshire Live contacted Lincolnshire Police regarding the data but the force declined to comment.