Criminal damage to property and taking legal action

Nardge

Dear Forumites,

I hope I've posted this in the most appropriate place! Please tell me if not.

I recently bought a house which is being repaired, renovated, and refurbished.

I wish to claim compensation from XXX (electricity supply company) who have severed my water and electric supply externally in the flagstoned front yard (in error) in addition to breaking and entering my home (without valid excuse), and who now appear to be deliberately covering it up, essentially saying that they're not responsible for the criminal damage incurred. I have video evidence that the flagstones in the front yard were intact two weeks beforehand, that the land was undisturbed until they'd turfed it all up, causing the above damage. Furthermore, my builder and the electricity meter could confirm that the electricity had been working beforehand, as can the contractor who had previously replaced my lead pipe for water supply to my home in the same area.

Is it OK for me to detail who XXX are on this forum? 

I have complained to XXX. Evidently they can't claim they've completed their investigation saying all is OK and legitimate, as I'm sure we're not allowed to investigate ourselves in this country?

Who should I consult now, and at what stage? The Police? Should this be the Police station nearest the property?

If to take them to court, that would be very expensive? 
I do not know much about 'No Win No Fee Lawyers'? Is this a good case for them? Are there any drawbacks?

I'd be happy to give a lot more detail if I see people are replying to this thread and request it.

A big thank you in advance for your advice and guidance!

With Kind Regards

Nardge

Dear Forumites,

I hope I've posted this in the most appropriate place! Please tell me if not.

I recently bought a house which is being repaired, renovated, and refurbished.

I wish to claim compensation from XXX (electricity supply company) who have severed my water and electric supply externally in the flagstoned front yard (in error) in addition to breaking and entering my home (without valid excuse), and who now appear to be deliberately covering it up, essentially saying that they're not responsible for the criminal damage incurred. I have video evidence that the flagstones in the front yard were intact two weeks beforehand, that the land was undisturbed until they'd turfed it all up, causing the above damage. Furthermore, my builder and the electricity meter could confirm that the electricity had been working beforehand, as can the contractor who had previously replaced my lead pipe for water supply to my home in the same area.

Is it OK for me to detail who XXX are on this forum? 

I have complained to XXX. Evidently they can't claim they've completed their investigation saying  all is OK and legitimate, as I'm sure we're not allowed to investigate ourselves in this country?

Who should I consult now, and at what stage? The Police? Should this be the Police station nearest the property?

If to take them to court, that would be very expensive? 
I do not know much about 'No Win No Fee Lawyers'? Is this a good case for them? Are there any drawbacks?

I'd be happy to give a lot more detail if I see people are replying to this thread and request it.

A big thank you in advance for your advice and guidance!

With Kind Regards


 

eddddy

You probably need to give a bit more context.

For example, is "XXX"  a council, a neighbour, a contractor hired by you, a water authority, etc.

And what reason did they give for doing this. For example, to deal with a water leak, because water was making the electrics unsafe, because of a court order, by mistake, on purpose, etc.

Ayr_Rage

What reasons have XXX given for severing the services and entering you home?

Did they have a warrant?

There is obviously more to this than you are telling the forum, don't drip feed the information!

Keep_pedalling

Duplicate thread, please don’t do this across different boards it is against forum rules/

Keep_pedalling

Yes you can name the company. If they did this in error we are talking about negligence rather than criminal damage. Was this someone you hired to do some work? 

TELLIT01

Have you asked the electricity supplier why the supply was terminated and the meter removed?

WIAWSNB

Hi Narge.

Why do you think it was 'criminal' damage, and not accidental?

This house is presumably insured - do you have Legal Protection included in the policy? If so, that's your answer - call them up.

Get the essential facts - dates, times, incidents, etc - outlined on a sheet beforehand, so you can refer to it quickly and accurately.

Anything you are unsure of, then make that clear. And only call something 'criminal' if you have proper cause to do so.

Nardge

This is a rapidly evolving situation... I will get back to answering your kind support them I am able to do so.

Thank you so much!

Nardge

Yes I am so sorry! Just really stressed and need answers.

Can you copy/paste the answers previously received here to the other thread please?

This is a rapidly evolving situation... 

Thank you so much!

WIAWSNB

"Criminal property damage is the act of intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging property that belongs to another person, without a lawful excuse.

Key aspects of criminal property damage:

Intention or Recklessness: The crime is committed when someone intends to cause damage or acts recklessly, disregarding the potential for damage.

Property Belonging to Another: The damage must be inflicted on property that does not belong to the person committing the act.

Lack of Lawful Excuse: There must be no valid reason for the damage, such as protecting oneself or others."

If you are 100% certain that the damage was either intentional, or reckless (ie, the person must have known of the likely risk of damage as a result of their action), then it's 'criminal', and you should contact your local Bobby to report it - get a crime number.
But if this is, say, a contractor who just made a mistake, then it's isn't 'criminal', but they are still liable. I hope you have LegProt - it's much easier.