GETTING your bike stolen is one of the worst things to happen to a biker. So when the Police contact you to say it's been recovered that should be a reason to smile.
Not so for 17 year old Daniel Lovejoy of County Durham. Daniel had his £110 off-road project bike stolen from a garage in Newton Aycliffe on April 30th. A Police Officer contacted him stating the bike was dumped the day after the theft and would be returned to him following forensic testing.
A full five weeks later Lovejoy received a letter from a recovery company used by the Police asking for £150 for the return of the bike. "The letter said it would be sold or scrapped if we didn’t come and get it within two weeks" said Mr Lovejoy. With charges going up £10 per day the charge now stands at almost £300 and over double the current value of the motorcycle.
A Durham Police spokesman stated that the Contract Vehicle Recovery Scheme is a national scheme that is adhered to by all police forces, but that they are "currently reviewing the scheme".
Daniel's father Keith is angry about the charges due saying "When Daniel’s bike was stolen he was a victim of crime and now he is a victim of crime again".
What do you think - Daylight robbery or a fair charge?
