A MOTHER-of-two whose car was stolen and involved in a collision with police says she has been left "deeply distressed" after being told one of the officers is claiming against her insurance.

Tracey Mackin's Juke was taken from outside her Lagmore home in west Belfast last October by a thief who entered the property and stole the keys.

Several hours later police called to say her car had been stopped on the Falls Road.

Officers slowed it with a 'stinger' device before a collision involving the car and police vehicle at Millfield.

Three 15-year-olds were later charged in connection with the theft.

Mrs Mackin said when when police called to her house to say they'd found the car but it was a write-off "I was so upset".

"I'm a single parent with two jobs struggling to make ends meet as it is. My insurance payments trebled overnight."

In December, she then received a solicitor's letter on behalf of one of the officers who was in the police vehicle, saying he "sustained personal injury loss and damage" as a result of the collision involving her car.

The letter, which gives the officer's address as care of Woodbourne PSNI station, asks if she is "prepared to admit liability and pay compensation".

"I've been so upset - the very people I called for help are now trying to claim against me," said Mrs Mackin.

"I've lost my car, I'm afraid in my own home and now have been asked to accept liability for a crash I didn't cause."

A spokesperson for the PSNI said it is a "matter for individual police officers, like any other citizens, to pursue civil claims arising from road traffic collisions in which they have been involved (whether during their working time or at some other time)".

"It is important to clarify that officers are not claiming against the victim's insurance, they are claiming against the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB).

"It is a matter between the insurer and the policy holder as to whether it is treated as a claim - it may indeed count as a claim, however the policy holder would most likely be claiming for the theft of their vehicle and any damage caused."