A have-a-go shopkeeper caught a suspected thief – only to be told police would take four hours to help out.

Matthew Cockell, who owns Lenham Village Store, sprang into action when he saw two men leave with a stash of wine and bottles of beer.

They ran up the High Street, with Mr Cockell in hot pursuit in his car.

The pair split up and the man carrying the spoils ran into a garden on the corner of Old School Close and banged on the back door of a house, asking to be let in.

The owners dialled 999 and went out on their driveway, where they found Mr Cockell searching the area.

Mr Cockell said: “I took the phone and told the operator we had the guy in the garden and he said they would try to send someone out in four hours.

“I explained we had the man right in front of us but the operator said they were busy as it was Friday night, so I had to let him go. I had no other choice.”

Police denied the call handler had been told that a person had been detained.

Officers eventually arrived at The Square store to take a statement at 2pm the next day – more than 20 hours later.

Mr Cockell had managed to question the other man, who had paid for an item, but he denied working in partnership with the alleged shoplifter before scarpering.

In a bid to find the pair, the trader has called on community cyber cops to help track them down.

Mr Cockell posted CCTV footage of the suspects on a community Facebook page, titled Keeping Lenham Safe, and the store’s own account.

The video has been shared more than 100 times.

“I took the phone and told the operator we had the guy in the garden and he said they would try to send someone out in four hours..." - Matthew Cockell

Mr Cockell said: “I can’t believe the response we’ve had to the post. I know it’s not a huge amount of money but it’s my livelihood and I don’t want people to think we’re an easy target, because we’re definitely not.”

The film shows one of the men, who is wearing a dark coat and blue jeans, put at least one bottle into a shopping bag.

The other is wearing a grey jumper, blue jeans and carrying a rucksack. He appears to be wearing dark glasses.

Both spoke with what are believed to be Eastern European accents.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "By the time the victim spoke to police nearly 10 minutes had passed.

"Given the time lapse since the offence, plus the time for officers to attend the scene, it was likely that the suspect would be far away from the area. It was arranged that an officer would attend the store the next day to seize the CCTV footage at the store.

"The call to our control room has been reviewed and at no time was the call handler told that a person had been detained. The call taker asked the caller if he had any suspects with him and he replied no."

People with information are asked to phone police on 101, quoting YY9190/14.

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