Police have apologised to a Needham Market woman for failing to send officers to her home after her Mini Cooper was stolen.

Laurie Hall said her car was taken from an address in School Street on Monday, June 10.

Police closed the case the following day after she reported it, without any officers coming out to investigate.

A Suffolk police spokesman apologised to Ms Hall for "failing to meet the standards" victims of theft expect.

Ms Hall, a nurse who runs the ear wax removal service Optimal Ear Care Services, explained that CCTV from the street showed a man trying various cars on the street and touching them before entering hers.

However, she questioned Suffolk police why there was no effort to gather fingerprints.

She described how she felt after her Mini was taken, saying: “I went out and looked where I parked, and it wasn’t there. I checked the other place I sometimes park and then thought 'this isn’t right'.

“I needed my car for work because I’m a nurse and I do ear wax removal as a mobile service, so I was thinking I would have to re-arrange my patient list.

“My two-year-old son’s car seat and favourite dinosaur teddy were also in there.”

Ms Hall added: “It was the feeling when your heart drops.

“Especially because I had patients relying on me that day. Now I have to go around on the bus, it’s not tragic but it’s annoying.”

Ms Hall is adamant the car was locked and believes it may have been taken using a tool which can copy the signal of electronic car keys from a distance.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Police said: “Following a review of the investigation it was felt the constabulary’s crime scene investigation team should have been notified to decide on any possible forensic opportunities and if a visit by one of their investigators was suitable on this occasion.

“We have apologised to the victim for failing to meet the standards they should expect on this occasion and will take this learning forward to future investigations.”

The car, number plate is AW19 XPP, was last seen at 8.30pm on June 10 and it had earwax removal advertising stickers on its doors.

Anyone who has any information related to the theft should report it to Suffolk Police, using the crime reference number 37/32693/24.