A couple who contacted police after witnessing a burglar break into a neighbour's shed were asked to look into the matter themselves because there were no officers available.

Lloyd and Suzanne Bishop informed police of the break in but were sent a text message an hour later asking them to "establish what has been stolen and where from", the Daily Telegraph reports.

The message went on to say that the Cambridgeshire Constabulary was "struggling to get the police to attend general calls for service".

Ms Bishop said they had been "gobsmacked and disgusted" by the response they received.

"It just gives burglars the idea that they can get away with it because the police aren't going to send anyone out," she told the newspaper.

Home insurance customers may be interested to learn that earlier this month the Fenland Citizen reported a spate of thefts from sheds and garages in the region.

Sally Davies, local crime reduction manager, urged people to take steps to boost their household security.

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