A COUPLE who lost £33,000 of property when they were burgled while away on holiday say they have been shocked by the police response.

David and Marta Rutherford were two days into their Mexican holiday when their neighbour called them to say their house in Farnaby Road, Bromley, had been ransacked.

Thieves took their £13,500 blue Vauxhall Zafira car from the drive and an estimated £20,000 of household items.

The couple, who cut their holiday short because of the burglary, say police have not given them the assistance they expect.

A scenes of crime officer (SOCO) visited the house on July 24, the day after the break-in, but no other police officers have been since.

Mr and Mrs Rutherford spoke to the investigating officer on the telephone and claim she told them it is Bromley police policy to not attend mid-week burglaries.

Mrs Rutherford, 40, said: "I feel really let down. I want some answers and an apology.

"We have been left alone and do not have any support."

Her husband, an insurance project manager, says his neighbour was told to go and see if a burglary had taken place when he called the police at 11.30pm on July 23.

The 39-year-old claims the police did not start looking for the car until 18 hours after it was stolen because they wanted confirmation of its registration number from him in Mexico.

He also says the police took eight days to send the couple a form to list their stolen property.

They visited Bromley Police Station on July 28 to try and find out what was happening with their case but say they were unable to see a police officer.

Mr Rutherford said: "It is very disappointing. Six years ago we had a burglary in our shed and the next morning we had two police officers round.

"The difference between then and now is amazing.

"I am saddened by the complete lack of police activity or concern in this case."

Bromley police crime manager Detective Chief Inspector Chris Smart said: "In most cases police officers do not go to burglaries."

He says this policy is part of a Met Police initiative called Burglary First Response, which started in Bromley last October.

The aim is to have a SOCO at the scene within 24 hours of the incident while other officers work on the case rather than spend time with victims.

He says police could not start looking for the car until Mr Rutherford had confirmed its registration number and there is usually a delay in sending out stolen items forms to give victims time to remember what has been stolen.

Det Chief Insp Smart added: "We do make mistakes but I cannot see in this circumstance this has been the case.

"We responded to the burglary, sent a SOCO there and circulated details about the car as soon as possible and the investigation continues.

"I appreciate the effect of the crime on the victims and they expected to see a police officer at their house but that is not the case these days."