UK police forces pay millions

Figures obtained by Public Interest Lawyers show that 47,658 claims have been lodged against police forces since 2019.

Compensation claims arise when individuals feel mistreated or believe the police have abused their position. Common claims include malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest, sexual misconduct, assault, traffic accidents, and property damage.

Some claims stem from exceptional circumstances. According to The Express, forces across the UK paid over £300,000 in the last three years after mistakenly raiding the homes of innocent people. This resulted from at least 255 separate cases of police forces breaking down the wrong doors.

In 2019/2020, 8,240 claims were lodged against police forces, with 2,627 settled, the lowest in the past five years. A year later, this rose to 8,365 claims, with 2,237 settled. Over the past year, claims have further increased to 11,436.

Sexual misconduct has become a major source of complaints to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), the UK police watchdog. In a May 2022 report, the IOPC stated it was "highly likely" the scale of sexual misconduct in law enforcement "remains under-represented" due to victims’ fears of not being believed.

Signs of inappropriate behaviour by officers, such as private contact, nurturing dependence, or being overly familiar, have previously been grounds for claims. In the year ending March 2023, 1,300 police officers and staff across 43 UK forces faced formal misconduct proceedings for complaints and recordable conduct matters. Additionally, 51,605 complaints involving 42,854 identifiable officers were finalised, covering 120,243 allegations.

Public Interest Lawyers also obtained data on the total compensation paid out by UK police forces since 2019. Over five years, police forces have paid £79,373,401.07 in successful claims, with 2023/24 seeing the highest payout at £18,201,878.46.

Compensation claims include both public claims and internal claims by police officers and staff. The most common claims involve property damage and motor-related incidents, such as car crashes. Increasingly, claims for unlawful arrest, wrongful imprisonment, and forced entry into properties have been made against police forces.

Based on nationwide data, the police forces with the highest compensation costs since 2019 have been identified. The Metropolitan Police Service leads with nearly £42m in claims, followed by Police Service Northern Ireland and West Yorkshire Police, both exceeding £4m in payouts.

JF Law solicitor Lucy Parker commented to Public Interest Lawyers: "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."

Public Interest Lawyers provides support for individuals who believe they have been mistreated by the police, offering free advice on potential claims. Their 24-hour helpline and online claim form are available on their website.

Police forces in Warwickshire, Thames Valley, Wiltshire, Surrey, Humberside, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Durham, and Cumbria did not respond to Public Interest Lawyers’ Freedom of Information request.