Police damage to front door - possibly excessive

diystarter7

lisyloo said:

Lomast said:

The police would not carry anything to cut chain. If your dad had been unwell would you of preferred they wait however long until the fire brigade got there?

No of course I wouldn’t ! Why a silly thing to ask.
i just Thought they would carry cutters as standard for this sort of thing.

So, why are you saying the other poster is "silly" to ask? All the other poster said was that cops did not carry cutters and that is not a "silly" statement but a sensible response.

lisyloo

DanDare999 said:

lisyloo said:

the police broke into my Dad’s house on Tuesday.
they had justification to break in as there were concerns about his health (he was found safe asleep in a chair with hearing aids out).

there was a key to the front door but there was a chain on.
instead of cutting the chain the police have damaged both the door and the frame beyond repair.
i understand they need to get in the quickest way possible but

1) is this excessive given the chain could simply have been cut?
2) if it is excessive what’s the procedure for claiming?

thanks

You need to explain the damage. 

Did they use the key then force the chain causing damage to the door and frame?

I wasn’t there, but I believe they used the key, discovered the chain was on and then forced the door.
the part of the frame where the door attaches is bent.
ive had a professional (someone I know and trust) check it out and the professional opinion is that neither can be salvaged. He is surprised at the damage they’ve done.

lisyloo

twopenny said:

Yes to photos of the damage. See if anything can be done.
Is it to both door and frame, either or?

On the plus side great that he uses the chain - and if he had a broken hip, stroke, heart attack, hit his head you'd have been grateful for the urgency. Could have saved his life.

Yes I’ve very grateful to the person that called them, of course.

professional opinion is neither door nor frame can be salvaged.

lisyloo

diystarter7 said:

Hello OP
I saw similar on our raod a few years ago. Carer came no response, then rang cops.
Cops used a battering ram on a new-ish double-glazed composite door that has high-security locks.
Like some people, the lady had locked the door from the inside at night time.
The frame eventually started to come away from the door. The lady had suffered a stroke.
She lived alone. Lady never came back home as went into care home for a year.
I saw the family when they were selling the house but they never said anything about a like-for-like new door

A chain usually breaks so I was surprised by the damage. However, if that was my dad, I'd be grateful to the cops
for having the guts to kick the door in and ensure dad got the help he needed

Cops have to make a judgment call based on the info proved and their instincts as a matter of life or death
can be a few seconds difference.

Calling out the fire brigade - not only the costs but there could be a serious fire or crash and in my judgment not justified.

If dad is on benefits has no money, seek help from the council, I'm sure cops will direct you if requested, otherwise please just be grateful.

Edit = However, you could ask and not demand but ask, you never know - but at the same time praise the officers - good luck.

I am grateful, I was just asking for information/advice.
i didn’t mention calling the fire brigade - not sure how that’s come up.

Im wondering if his own house insurance will cover this?

Bendy_House

Would the house insurance possibly cover this?

diystarter7

lisyloo said:

diystarter7 said:

Hello OP
I saw similar on our raod a few years ago. Carer came no response, then rang cops.
Cops used a battering ram on a new-ish double-glazed composite door that has high-security locks.
Like some people, the lady had locked the door from the inside at night time.
The frame eventually started to come away from the door. The lady had suffered a stroke.
She lived alone. Lady never came back home as went into care home for a year.
I saw the family when they were selling the house but they never said anything about a like-for-like new door

A chain usually breaks so I was surprised by the damage. However, if that was my dad, I'd be grateful to the cops
for having the guts to kick the door in and ensure dad got the help he needed

Cops have to make a judgment call based on the info proved and their instincts as a matter of life or death
can be a few seconds difference.

Calling out the fire brigade - not only the costs but there could be a serious fire or crash and in my judgment not justified.

If dad is on benefits has no money, seek help from the council, I'm sure cops will direct you if requested, otherwise please just be grateful.

Edit = However, you could ask and not demand but ask, you never know - but at the same time praise the officers - good luck.

I am grateful, I was just asking for information/advice.
i didn’t mention calling the fire brigade - not sure how that’s come up.

Im wondering if his own house insurance will cover this?

The "fire brigade" was mentioned by another poster but I guess you did not read that and I mentioned it in the same/one post.

Re house insurance, what is the excess, what quote did you get and how many. The "professional" you called, in what line of work   IE double glazing, carpenter. etc?

NB: I think you missed the bit I said try to speak with the officers.

Either way and I'm very sorry I missed the chance to say it before, I'm glad your dad was ok. Hopefully the door is sorted soon and you guys have a plan should anything like this happens again

Thanks

DanDare999

diystarter7 said:

lisyloo said:

diystarter7 said:

Hello OP
I saw similar on our raod a few years ago. Carer came no response, then rang cops.
Cops used a battering ram on a new-ish double-glazed composite door that has high-security locks.
Like some people, the lady had locked the door from the inside at night time.
The frame eventually started to come away from the door. The lady had suffered a stroke.
She lived alone. Lady never came back home as went into care home for a year.
I saw the family when they were selling the house but they never said anything about a like-for-like new door

A chain usually breaks so I was surprised by the damage. However, if that was my dad, I'd be grateful to the cops
for having the guts to kick the door in and ensure dad got the help he needed

Cops have to make a judgment call based on the info proved and their instincts as a matter of life or death
can be a few seconds difference.

Calling out the fire brigade - not only the costs but there could be a serious fire or crash and in my judgment not justified.

If dad is on benefits has no money, seek help from the council, I'm sure cops will direct you if requested, otherwise please just be grateful.

Edit = However, you could ask and not demand but ask, you never know - but at the same time praise the officers - good luck.

I am grateful, I was just asking for information/advice.
i didn’t mention calling the fire brigade - not sure how that’s come up.

Im wondering if his own house insurance will cover this?

The "fire brigade" was mentioned by another poster but I guess you did not read that and I mentioned it in the same/one post.

Re house insurance, what is the excess, what quote did you get and how many. The "professional" you called, in what line of work   IE double glazing, carpenter. etc?

NB: I think you missed the bit I said try to speak with the officers.

Thanks

Why? What they did was lawful and even if it wasn't they wouldn't pay for the damage. 

lisyloo

diystarter7 said:

lisyloo said:

Lomast said:

The police would not carry anything to cut chain. If your dad had been unwell would you of preferred they wait however long until the fire brigade got there?

No of course I wouldn’t ! Why a silly thing to ask.
i just Thought they would carry cutters as standard for this sort of thing.

So, why are you saying the other poster is "silly" to ask? All the other poster said was that cops did not carry cutters and that is not a "silly" statement but a sensible response.

I was replying to the second sentence as to whether I’d prefer to wait whilst my dad was unwell which is just a ridiculous thing to suggest.

i think it is reasonable to ask about police equipment and procedures.

lisyloo

Bendy_House said:

Would the house insurance possibly cover this?

Thanks 
Will look into that if the cost justifies it, considering excess, increased premiums etc.
if the insurance believe the police force was excessive then they can pursue it.

diystarter7

lisyloo said:

diystarter7 said:

lisyloo said:

Lomast said:

The police would not carry anything to cut chain. If your dad had been unwell would you of preferred they wait however long until the fire brigade got there?

No of course I wouldn’t ! Why a silly thing to ask.
i just Thought they would carry cutters as standard for this sort of thing.

So, why are you saying the other poster is "silly" to ask? All the other poster said was that cops did not carry cutters and that is not a "silly" statement but a sensible response.

I was replying to the second sentence as to whether I’d prefer to wait whilst my dad was unwell which is just a ridiculous thing to suggest.

i think it is reasonable to ask about police equipment and procedures.

It is reasoanble to ask and I did not doubt that. What I clearly asked was why did you call the poster "silly".... as they to were only asking.