Couple face repair delay after botched police raid

A couple whose door and gate were damaged by police during a botched raid have been told they might have to wait up to three months to find out if the force will pay for repairs.

Barry and Mavis Lovelock were finishing their breakfast at home in Newfoundpool, Leicester, on 15 March when police smashed in their front door.

The force had been acting on a tip-off that cannabis was being produced inside the house, which was inaccurate.

The couple have now been told by letter they need to obtain quotes for repairs to their door themselves, then take photographs and provide full details of the damage before the police decide whether they will provide compensation.

The couple say their front door was nailed and screwed shut hours after it was knocked off its hinges, but cannot currently be opened.

A letter to the Lovelocks from Derbyshire-based East Midlands Police Legal Services, which has been seen by the BBC and is dated 18 March, says: "We have been instructed to deal with this claim on behalf of the Chief Constable.

"We will obtain information about the matter and advise the Chief Constable on the legal position and then respond to you.

"We anticipate providing a substantive response to your letter by 18th June 2025 in accordance with the Practice Direction on pre-action conduct. We will endeavour to reply sooner if at all possible."

The letter adds that before the police provide a full response, the couple need to provide photographs of the damage, two written quotes for the repairs, details of the damage and complete a compensation form.

Mrs Lovelock, 78, said: "I think the door should have been fixed, it wasn't our fault.

"I think what the police did was disgusting. No-one has been in touch to apologise."

She added: "It's quite a big thing to get all your quotes in and we have got to get them all sorted out and sent back to Derbyshire and they have said that it could take up until June.

"It's disgusting, it should have been done. It's their fault, it's not our fault and it should have been arranged straight away to have a front door fitted."

Previously, Leicestershire Police said it completed its due diligence before the raid, but the information it received was not "wholly accurate".

A spokesperson added officers at the scene did apologise to Mr and Mrs Lovelock at the time, and officers seized 79 cannabis plants from a property nearby soon after.

In a new statement, inspector for the West Leicester neighbourhood policing area (NPA), Insp Ryan Hayes, said the force "acknowledge that the information about the address was not fully accurate".

"My main priority is to make sure that my local beat team support the Lovelocks following this incident that has affected them," he added.

"Members of the NPA beat team have visited them and will keep in regular contact with them until the door is replaced.

"The process of claiming compensation through legal services is a standardised procedure for claiming damages following the execution of a warrant.

"However, this is not the most appropriate way for the door to be repaired in this instance.

"Following contact with the residents, the force will be sourcing quotes for the repairs and oversee the replacement of the door."

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