A police officer has criticised detectives for failing to prosecute a man she says her husband caught breaking into his car.

Northumbria Police officer Caroline McArdle has spoken of her disbelief that the man had not been charged.

Craig McArdle from Chester-le-Street noticed the man acting suspiciously around the Ford Escort, parked outside their home in Hilda Park.

The 33-year-old, who drives classic trains at Beamish Museum, raced 100 yards after him dressed only in T-shirt, socks and underpants.

He leapt on him - and using techniques learnt in the Territorial Army - pinned him to the ground and with his free arm, flagged down a cab, asking the driver to call 999. Officers from the Durham force were at the scene within minutes.

Mother-of-two PC McArdle, 27, said a rubber seal had been taken from the car window.

She said: "The lad was making all sorts of threats about what he would do to the house and us while he was holding him.

"The police arrived and arrested him, but then about ten days later we received a call saying no further action was being taken.

"In my experience I know he could have been charged with a number of offences from attempted theft and criminal damage to making threats against property and threatening behaviour."

The man told police that he caused the damage by leaning on the car whilst being sick.

The damage to the E-registered car will cost the couple about £800 to repair.

PC McArdle, who works in Whickham near Gateshead said: "I am very disappointed with these fellow officers in a neighbouring force." "David Blunkett talks about reducing crime and asks for the public to help the police force and this is what happens when they do."

But a spokesman for Durham Police said that there had been insufficient evidence to charge the man.

He said: "We did arrest a man. He was interviewed and released on police bail. When he later answered his bail he was told no further action would be taken against him because there was insufficient evidence to bring charges."