A BURGLARY victim who said he waited 30 hours for police officers to arrive is threatening legal action.

Convoy Aid charity founder Rod Jones is filing a county court claim for compensation against both Cleveland Police and Stockton Borough Council. He is taking the action following the theft of a computer holding vital data from the charity's base at Stockton.

Mr Jones is making a claim against Stockton Council for allegedly taking no action to clear a council-owned site at Portrack being used by caravan squatters, next to to his yard and warehouse.

He said he gave police a description of two trespassing travellers he chased out of the charity's compound, with details about their vehicle and caravan on the day of the theft. According to Mr Jones, one officer told him over the telephone that he could have made a citizen's arrest.

Mr Jones, who suffers from a number of health problems, said: "How could I have detained two youngsters for 30 hours?

"It is a complete lack of care and is disgusting.''

The second-hand computer, bought for £700, contains names and addresses of the individuals who are sponsoring orphans in Romania.

A spokeswoman for Stockton Council said: "As soon as we are made aware of any unauthorised encampment we immediately instigate the council procedure and make contact with the travellers.

"We take the matter seriously and monitor temporary sites on a regular basis.''

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "To date, we have not received any form of complaint from Mr Jones.''