REPAIR bills for doors battered down during police raids have cost Lancashire Constabulary £37,000.

There have been 83 cases where police have paid out to fix or replace doors during the past 12 months.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act revealed 22 cases in eastern division, which covers Blackburn, Accrington, Clitheroe, Darwen, Great Harwood and Longridge. Ten of these cases were settled with a total of £5,532 paid out. And in Pennine division, 31 claims were received and 19 were settled, for a total of £9,889.80.

Although the police said they had justification to force their way into every property they did, they have decided to pay out some cases.

Examples include where neighbours raised concern over the welfare of people nearby or if warrants were issued and nothing was found.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said examples revealed in the FOI request included vulnerable people who were missing from home and the pursuit of suspects.

Chief Inspector June Chessell from Lancashire Police said: “On all occasions our actions were justified in entering the properties as we were either executing a warrant, looking for someone who was wanted by the police or carrying out a welfare check.

“Forcing entry into people’s properties is always a last resort but sometimes we are left with no option and if we need to we will, of course, compensate people for their loss.”

The force received 139 applications for repairs under its compensation scheme and agreed to pay out in 83 of the cases.