POLICE have insisted "positive lines of enquiry" are being carried out - after a Bradford business boss accused officers of not taking a theft seriously. 

A fork lift truck was stolen in broad daylight from Divya Enterprises Limited on Whetley Mills Business Park, Thornton Road, last Sunday.

Vicky Hemdev, a director at the company, told the Telegraph & Argus the offence was reported to police and evidence was provided very soon after the theft.

This included CCTV footage showing a man who drove the fork lift truck out of the business - as well as a car, with its number plate clearly visible, which he got out of at a nearby yard prior to the theft. 

However, Ms Hemdev said an officer was only assigned to the case after two days - and voiced concern that "nothing is happening with the investigation". 

West Yorkshire Police said enquiries were taking place. 

'We have been financially and mentally affected'

Ms Hemdev said: "As a tax-paying, responsible business employing over 20 employees, we feel betrayed by the system - which should have responded straight away after all the evidence was provided. 

"We have been financially and mentally affected.

"Our business and our neighbours have been trading in fear about the equipment and stock being taken. 

"Police not acting on it and not taking it seriously is sending wrong signals to these people who might get used to committing crimes against people and businesses, knowing nothing is going to happen to them. 

"There's nothing happening with the investigation. 

"We need urgent support from the police."

She expressed concern about "hard-working, honest" people and businesses doing their best to help residents, support the economy and create jobs - only for things like this to happen to them.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said in response: "Police are investigating after a fork lift truck was stolen from a business premises on Thornton Road on February 4 at around 3.30pm. 
  
"Positive lines of enquiry are being carried out to find the person responsible including CCTV enquiries.  
  
"Anyone with information or who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time is asked to contact police via 101 and quote crime reference 13240065700."

Information about crime can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 55 111 or visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org