ASTOUNDED businessman John Teesdale claims he called police to report an attempted theft - only to be told that no crime had been committed.

Mr Teesdale, director of York Microlight Centre, says he rang North Yorkshire Police after a stranger came into one of the centre's hangars at Rufforth Airfield and picked up a petrol can.

When one of the centre's mechanics spotted and challenged him, the man dropped the can and made off on a bike.

"He was a scruffy man, covered in tattoos, and he had two young children with him," he said.

"The mechanic didn't try to grab him because of the youngsters."

Mr Teesdale says that after phoning police to report the incident, he was put through to a Crime Recording Unit - which is part of the force control room.

But when he explained what had happened, he says a woman told him there was nothing police could do, because no crime had been committed.

"I was astounded," he said. "No wonder the crime rate is supposed to be going down, if they don't consider this sort of thing to be a crime."

He presumed the decision was based on the fact that the man had not got away with anything. "But whatever happened to attempted theft?" he asked.

North Yorkshire Police spokesman Ron Johnson said today: "This incident was recorded and details were circulated to patrolling officers.

"However, we do accept that the caller was given inaccurate information.

"This is now being addressed within the force control room, and we will be contacting the caller to ensure that the matter has been rectified."

Updated: 09:29 Saturday, September 04, 2004