Police send bill to car theft victim

STOKE-ON-TRENT, England, July 15 (UPI) -- A British man said police have sent him a bill after their vehicles were damaged while they were chasing his stolen car.

Jason West, 22, said Staffordshire Police sent his insurance company a bill five months after the Feb. 6 incident -- which could raise his premiums by up to $4,000, The Daily Mail reported Monday.

West said he has already paid $600 to have his Volkswagen Golf repaired, after it incurred damage during the car chase. He also paid more than $200 to get the car out of impound after police caught the thief.

"I am being punished through no fault of my own. I am a victim of theft," he said.

"I did not go through my insurance because it was cheaper to repair the car myself, but if the police carry on I will end up paying out twice," West said.