A ROW has broken out between a North Yorkshire trader and a town's police chief over allegations that officers failed to respond to his calls.

Adrian Flinton, of AC Commercials, in Malton, has criticised the police, claiming they did not respond to him reporting a crime at his business.

He said: "We have to fork out all this extra money for the police, our council tax has risen hugely because of them, but this is the service we get."

But his claims have been dismissed by Inspector Neil Burnett, of Malton Police.

Mr Flinton said he saw men trying to steal from his premises, but scared them off, then followed them as they tried to commit further crimes.

He said: "I sat there watching these people try to steal from myself and others, but the police refused to do anything about it. What kind of a service is that?"

But Insp Burnett said: "Mr Flinton has an inherent dislike of people who visit his premises asking for scrap metal, which is what he reported to us. We have had past involvement with him in similar circumstances."

Insp Burnett said Mr Flinton reported two men had been on his property, and that an officer was sent to track them down without success.

He said Mr Flinton contacted other businesses, and, by coincidence there had been a theft at LCL Castings, which was not connected.

He said: "The information provided was useful to us and perhaps if Mr Flinton could concentrate his efforts in a more positive fashion we could work with him to ensure businesses in the area do not become victims of opportunistic crime."

Mr Flinton said: "I would not say I dislike the police, but I am angered by the incompetence they have shown over this matter, and by the huge hike we are having to pay for it.

"I provide a service, if I don't do my job I don't get paid, and as far as I can see it should be the same for them.

"They say they want to work together to fight crime, but I have seen no evidence of that."

Updated: 10:26 Tuesday, April 29, 2003