A BURGLARY victim got a surprise after reporting a break-in at his house – when the Suffolk Chief Constable turned up on his doorstep 15 minutes later.

A BURGLARY victim got a surprise after reporting a break-in at his house – when the Suffolk Chief Constable turned up on his doorstep 15 minutes later.

Trevor Francis rang Lowestoft police to tell them his conservatory door had been damaged and £2,500 of property stolen.

Within 15 minutes Pc Nicki Bryant was on his doorstep – along with Suffolk Chief Constable Alastair McWhirter.

Mr Francis, who is disabled, said: "I thought he must have been an inspector when I opened the door, but when I asked him, he said he was the chief constable of Suffolk.

"He even came down the garden with me to sort out some wood to fix my damaged door and helped me secure the door.

"He told me he was new to the job and was taking the chance to do on-the-spot checks and see different situations when he visited areas, not just what they wanted him to see."

Mr Francis said the arrival of the chief constable had exploded the myth that police never make it to the scene of a crime.

"I thought it was brilliant. You hear people say the police don't turn up at all – and I get the chief constable. There can't be many in his position who would go out and do the job themselves," he added.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Police said Mr McWhirter's visit had been part of a "getting out and about policy".

She added: "Delivering the service to the public is top of his agenda. He believes strongly that the only way to keep in touch with what is happening on the streets is to go out as frequently as other duties will allow. He is looking to focus on the sharp end and what Pcs do on a day-to-day basis."