Victim of crime must pay to get car back

Julie Bushell, of St Peter's Quarter, Leeman Road, was told that she must pay almost £150 to reclaim her Ford Orion from the firm that removed it.

It was taken away for fingerprinting after thieves, who had rolled it ten metres from her home, were caught in the act by police.

But the 34-year-old said she cannot pay the recovery charge, which has risen to more than £400 because of storage costs since the incident in March.

Ms Bushell, who has an 18-month-old son, said her entire family was suffering because of the situation. She said: "It was the principle that got me started, but now it is the money - I simply can't afford to get it back. I am trapped at home and can't even take my stepfather to hospital."

Ms Bushell was woken up at 2am on March 27 by police, who said some people had attempted to steal her car.

The officers asked if her car could be removed for fingerprinting by a contractor, Lynx Services.

When she phoned the Hopgrove roundabout-based company two days later she was asked to pay £123.38 recovery fee plus a £24 charge for two days' storage.

Sgt Richard Spedding, of Acomb Police, said victims of crime in similar situations were often able to recover costs when making an insurance claim.

He said that vehicles that were stolen, believed to be stolen or involved in crimes could be removed for fingerprinting.

He added that they were not driven and were put under cover to protect potential forensic evidence.

Sgt Bernie Winder, of North Yorkshire Police, said that this case was currently under review and he could not comment until he knew the full facts. He said: "Any complaints we get are investigated and a decision is made."

Lynx Services manager Tom Pearson said: "Although we sympathise with the lady in this case, unfortunately we do act through a third party and can only carry out the work that we are instructed to do."

Updated: 11:31 Wednesday, April 24, 2002