Police tell man to investigate burglary himself

A baker who reported a burglary to police claims officers told him he could investigate a break-in himself if he wanted.

Two safes were stolen from The Cottage Loaf bakery in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, and the till was ‘smashed to pieces’.

Mike Penton said he lost a ‘substantial amount’ of money in the raid, and reported the incident to police using the non-emergency 101 number.

A forensic officer attended the next day, but after hearing nothing more for five days, Mr Penton called back only to be told officers would most likely not attend.

He said: ‘While I was on the phone to the 101 call handler, I said ‘I haven’t seen a police officer yet and it has been a long time’. Read more