Compensation Laws Leave Car-Jacking Victims Out, Solicitor Says

Victims of "car-jacking" face an uphill battle to claim compensation, according to a Belfast-based solicitor.

Kevin Winters joined his voice with those of the SDLP and DUP to call for a review of criminal damage compensation law.

At present, criminal damage has to be committed by three or more people or by a terrorist act before it can be considered for compensation under Northern Irish law.

But Mr Winters said this excluded damage from attempted theft and the recent "carjacking" spate, leaving car owners "frustrated".

He said: "I would call upon the justice department to have an immediate look at this. Many ordinary people are getting a real sense of frustration and failure in not being able to process their lawful entitlement to damage compensation. The legislation is outdated, outmoded and needs a review."

SDLP policing spokesman Conall McDevitt agreed.

He said: "The point of a criminal injuries damage system is that people who are, through no fault of their own, victims of crime should have recourse to some sort of compensation where that is justified."

And Paul Givan of the DUP, chairman of the justice committee, argued that compensation law should reflect victims' needs.

He said: "I do not hear any defensible reason why you need to have at least three people involved in the crime to entitle you to compensation. It is preventing victims from getting support."