A BURGLARY victim is furious with police claiming not enough is being done to protect residents.

Gary Smith, of Devon Way, Dovercourt was targeted by thieves in February but also called 999 on Monday to report suspicious people in the road at 3am.

But he says nothing has been done to catch those responsible for this burglary and no action was taken to his emergency call.

“I got up and saw a little flash of light - there was a person going up and down the alleyway with a tiny torch,” he said.

“I called 999 at about 3am and stayed up until 4.30am and they didn’t even send a patrol car out.

“I frightened the people off by putting my light on - they were off like a shot.

“I know there are cutbacks but there was a minor accident on the A120 and there were three cop cars, six coppers, coppers coming out of everywhere - has this world gone crazy.

“It was the early hours of a Monday morning they broke into my workshop and the streetlights are switched off here.

“I’m seething.”

Mr Smith, 57, believes the suspicious person was doing reconnaissance and wants to warn other residents in the area to be vigilant and lock up homes and outbuildings.

“They used a crowbar to get into the workshop during the night, which they left behind, and took £2,700 worth of stuff.

“They took power drills, spanners, a palm sander and a few other electrical tools, fishing rods and reels.”

“I don’t want to frighten people but everyone in this road is older and the thieves know it, there is no deterrent.

“Our workshop is done up like Fort Knox now.

“People should lock up their homes and sheds.”

A police spokesman said: “Police received reports that power tools and fishing rods were stolen from a shed in Devon Way between 1am on February 12 and 8.30am on February 13. “Unfortunately there were no forensic opportunities of sufficient quality or CCTV to identify suspects. However, if any further information or evidence comes to light these will be investigated.

“Police were contacted shortly before 3.10am on April 10 with reports a man was seen acting suspiciously in an alleyway in Devon Way. The caller spoke to the man, who ran off.

“Advice was given to the caller to contact police if they had any further information.”