The case of former policewoman Laura Dyer, who was awarded £175,792 High Court damages in respect of hearing loss caused by use of covert surveillance equipment last year, returns to court in November. The Metropolitan police, which Mr Justice Garland found had failed to prevent avoidable dangers associated with the equipment, is to appeal. In his ruling the judge held that Dyer, 48, who was forced to retire early from the police as a result of tinnitus, was a victim of negligence by her former bosses. He said he had "no doubt" that she had been exposed to excessive noise levels for substantial periods during surveillance activities, and said that if police had addressed the problem it would have been comparatively simple to protect her.