Current timestamp: 02/07/2026 05:59:35
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal Activity[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-location' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Request compensation for something the police have done

In some situations, you might be able to claim for compensation for something the police have done that was accidental or unlawful in some way.

Compensation is unlikely to be paid if the damage or injury was caused by the police acting lawfully.

What you can apply for

You can ask the police for compensation for things like:

  • lost or damaged property (eg, the police took your mobile phone to get evidence from it and you didn't get it back)
  • forced entry if the police were at fault
  • road traffic collision (eg, while carrying out a lawful chase, a police car swerved and damaged your parked car)

How to apply

Please write to:

Legal Services Department
Bedfordshire Police Headquarters
Woburn Road
Kempston
MK43 9AX

Please include the following information:

  • your full name and contact details (including postal address, phone number and your email address, if possible)
  • your case or report number (if you have one) and as much information as you can provide about the incident you are claiming for (for example, date, location)
  • if you’re claiming for damaged property, please provide photographs
  • the name or shoulder/collar number of any officer, staff member or volunteer involved
  • your reasons for claiming compensation and the amount (even if it's only an estimate) that you are claiming

What happens after you’ve applied

Once we've received your letter of claim, this will be allocated to a member of our legal team to investigate.

We aim to provide you with a full response within three months. However, if further information is needed, we may write to you before that.

If a claim against us is genuine, we'll always try to resolve this without needing to start legal proceedings. Under the civil procedure rules (CPR), the courts expect both parties to attempt to resolve disputes before going to court. 

This is why it's important to give us full details of your claim, so we have reasonable time to investigate, respond and negotiate.

Legal proceedings

If you do decide to start legal proceedings against us, please send the details to:

Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police
Legal Services Department
Bedfordshire Police Headquarters
Woburn Road
Kempston
MK43 9AX

The head of Legal Services is a solicitor and is authorised to act on behalf of the chief constable for all civil proceedings, including judicial review and other civil claims.