Tamara Morris was hit by a double whammy. She returned from holiday to find thieves had stolen her car and then discovered Sussex Police had accidentally crushed it.

Understandably outraged, Ms Morris insisted the police pay for their mistake and asked them for £750 to cover the purchase cost of the car, plus additional costs for a new stereo and roof rack.

The police admitted they had blundered but only offered Ms Morris £600, an amount she described as 'insulting'.

When motorists clash with the law, there are fixed penalties, with no room for negotiation. You pay up or end up in court.

Even when drivers are victims of car theft, they have to pay hefty charges to get their vehicles back from the pound.

But it seems, when the boys in blue get it wrong, the same rules don't apply.

Come on Sussex Police, stretch that long arm of the law deep into those pockets and pay up.