LETTER:Police payouts
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr D. S. Hamilton
Sir: You state that police in London paid out nearly pounds 1.4m in damages during 1994 and won "outright only 24 out of 304 cases" (report, 27 January). While the former statement is accurate, the latter gives a misleading impression.
During the 1994 calendar year, the Metropolitan Police received 489 writs and summonses and paid out agreed damages in 174 cases. However, the majority of the 174 cases settled had been received prior to 1994 and are not, therefore, included in the figure of 489.
A total of 34 cases were tried in court. The Metropolitan Police won in all causes of action in 23 of those cases, while the plaintiff won in one or more causes of action in 11 cases.
On average over the past five years, the Metropolitan Police have paid out damages in less than a third of the cases where a writ or summons had been received and made payments, before proceedings started, in just under one in 10 cases.
Yours sincerely,
D. S. Hamilton
Solicitors Department
Metropolitan Police Service
London, SW1
2 February
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments