AN 84-year-old woman has told of her fear as police smashed through 6ft security gates at her home because a nurse was worried when she did not answer the door.
Valerie Taylor is demanding compensation for damage to the gates at her Silverdale bungalow. She was watching TV when she heard her phone ring, but did not answer.
Mrs Taylor said: "I heard 'bang, bang, bang', and looked out my window. There were two policemen with the big metal thing they use to ram things, and the community nurse and someone else.
"It upsets me just to think about it. To think they can do this, just presuming something is wrong with me."
The police were called by the nurse who visits Mrs Taylor to check her health. She called them after Mrs Taylor did not answer the door. Although she has had hip replacements and ischaemic attacks, which can be a prelude to a stroke, Mrs Taylor still does everything herself including shopping.
She said the nurse normally makes an appointment but claims nothing was arranged for the day of the incident on July 5. Mrs Taylor added: "I'm an old lady and I don't need things like this in my life. I'm thinking about moving back to Wales where I come from originally because of the stress."
She added she may not have heard the door bell because she had two doors closed between her and the front door.
Mrs Taylor wrote to Notts Police asking them to pay for repairing her gates.
But the force said she will get nothing because the officers forced entry in "good faith".
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 allows police to enter homes when they believe it will save ''life or limb''. The law says they are not liable to pay for damage to doors or windows while breaking in.
Mrs Taylor says she still wants Notts Police or Nottingham City Care Partnership, which is in charge of the nurse, to pay. "It was such a frightening and frustrating experience," she added.
A spokeswoman for the care partnership said: "If our staff are concerned for the safety of a patient they will act appropriately to ensure they are safe and well, and if there are serious concerns for a patient's welfare this may include contacting police for support."
A police spokesman confirmed they went to the bungalow after a call from the nurse. They added: "An assessment was made as to how to get into the property safely and with the least amount of damage in order to check Mrs Taylor was safe and well. It was determined that the best route was via the gate.
"The legal services department has explained to her the reasons for its decision on the issue of payment for repair."
