POLICE have apologised to a businessman after failing to fully investigate a burglary which cost him more than £1,000.

Thieves smashed their way into Stoko Scaffolding Services, on the Bonville Farm Industrial Park in Arterial Road, North Benfleet, overnight on March 19.

An office door was kicked in and a safe containing £1,200 wrenched from the wall and taken away.

Owner Mick Stockinger called police, but after scenes of crimes officers dusted the building for fingerprints he heard no more.

He said: "The fingerprint guys turned up quite promptly, but no prints were found.

"We were told an officer would be calling for a statement, but still no one has spoken to us or taken a statement.

"What do we pay our taxes for? Is theft from a work place not important enough?"

"I feel we were totally forgotten.

"We lost cash we needed to buy diesel and had to get extra money out of the bank to cover it.

"What do you need to lose before the police take crime seriously?"

Donna Veasey, spokeswoman for Essex Police, said: "Essex Police wish to apologise to Mr Stockinger who reported a burglary at his business on March 20.

"Scenes of crimes officers attended the premises to obtain forensic evidence. However, an officer has so far failed to attend to obtain a statement from Mr Stockinger.

"An officer will be arranging to see him."