Suffolk cable theft victim faced nine-day police wait
A Suffolk plumber who captured clear CCTV images of thieves stealing cable from his garage has criticised police for saying they would not be able to see him for nine days.
On Wednesday lunchtime John Holles, from Stoke by Clare, popped to shops for half an hour during which time his garage was burgled.
Images of the thieves were captured on three cameras set up by Mr Holles.
After repeated calls by Mr Holles the police came the following day.
The thieves stole £300-worth of electrical cable copper and brass plumbing items from Mr Holles.
'Astonished at delay'
Mr Holles said: "I popped out to the shops for half an hour and when I got home I discovered that thieves had entered my garage and stolen all my stocks of electrical cable, copper and brass plumbing items."
He said his first thought was "the impertinence of people who come into your place and help themselves to your property".
But, he added: "This was mitigated by a feeling of empowerment as you could see who it was and hopefully identify them.
"I have the entire episode recorded on my CCTV security cameras, with excellent images of the faces of both of them, and shots from three different cameras showing them loading my things into their truck.
"I called the police control room at Bury St Edmunds, explaining how I have such useful evidence to help them track down the thieves, and was astonished to be told that the earliest they could send an officer to my house was Friday, 23 March."
Det Supt Stuart Sedgwick, of Suffolk Police, said: "It is wholly inappropriate for that type of crime to be responded to in that time.
"In this incident, where there is clear evidence of who committed the crime, we should attend much earlier and once this was realised we did attend the next morning."