A WEST Devon resident says he is 'incensed' after police failed to visit him following a burglary at his home last week — but sent him a letter instead, saying there were no active lines of enquiry. Burglars broke into three sheds at Stephen Earp's home in Horsebridge and smashed a window on his car, making off with tools, a mobile phone and satellite navigation system overnight on February 20. Mr Earp's wife discovered the crime the next morning and called the police. She was given instructions not to touch anything because an officer would be around to take evidence — but the police failed to call and a few days later, a letter arrived, which Mr Earp described as 'laughable.' He said: 'The letter basically says they are sorry to hear we have been a victim of crime and talks about how much effort has been put in to find the people who caused this upset. 'But due to the fact they have very little evidence there are no lines of enquiry to pursue. 'It's a joke. They have done nothing to get any evidence. These criminals left a petrol can on the drive and a chainsaw. We never touched anything because we thought the police might want to get fingerprints.' Mr Earp said an elderly neighbour's shed was also broken into during the same night. He said: 'I would rather the police were honest and said they did nothing about it. You see police pulling cars over all the time but they cannot be bothered to send a chap out here for half an hour. That has incensed me. 'One would assume the police are getting into the world of standard letters like big corporations — they are more interested in sending out a letter to make someone feel better then trying to stop these people. 'If no-one is investigating this sort of thing, what is stopping these criminals? We expect some sort of service from the police.' The letter from the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary stated details of the incident had been entered into the crime information system, which was checked in order to identify possible suspects based upon known intelligence, crime patterns and offenders' behaviour. The letter said: 'Where forensic evidence such as fingerprints or DNA is found we also research a national database that considers and compares evidence recovered from a number of crime scenes. 'From the information currently available to us there is unfortunately no other active line of enquiry to pursue at this time.' Enclosed with the letter was a 'Victim of Crime' leaflet. Following a complaint to the local police by Mr Earp, the investigation into the crime has been re- opened. Tavistock sergeant Ian Woods said the couple should not have been told, when they reported the crime, that an officer would be out shortly to take evidence. Sgt Woods said: 'The information is passed onto a scenes of crime officer who decides whether it is worthy of attending. 'It depends on what information is received at the initial report and it is normal practice to send out a letter as part of the Victim's Code. 'Having spoken to the complainant on a personal level, we will be looking at this matter further, bearing in mind there were other crimes in the area.' Sgt Woods said local beat manager Kevin Reed would be investigating this crime, along with another shed burglary and theft from a vehicle that took place in Horsebridge on the same night. 'We are seeking information from residents in the Horsebridge area or people who visited the local pub nearby that evening who may have seen people hanging around or suspicious cars leaving the area. 'If anyone has been offered any stolen property from the theft we would like them to contact us.' The property stolen includes a Tom Tom satellite navigation system, a mobile phone, hedge trimmer, and a strimmer. Anyone with information should call Tavistock police on 08452 777444, quoting crime ref JT/08/182.