Fifteen police officers including six detectives investigated a minor burglary - because it involved a local VIP.

Police authority boss Delyth Humfryes, 58, reported a handbag stolen just before she was due to present officers with awards.

The bag contained some make-up and a camera. But the Dyfed-Powys force set up an incident room in the backwater police station in Narberth, Pembrokeshire.

A Detective Inspector was assigned and drafted in a Detective Sergeant and four Detective Constables. About the same time traffic cops and even armed officers were seen to join the hunt.

As the day went on 15 cops gathered at Narberth. At one point a Superintendent arrived.

Disgusted rank and file officers blasted the events of last Monday and Tuesday.

One well-placed source said "The time and manpower spent was ridiculous. But Mrs Humfryes is very important in police circles."

The operation did result in some success when a suspect was arrested and then bailed. A neighbour of the burgled house said "There were so many police I thought it was a royal visit."

Dyfed Powys Police denied that an incident room was set up and that 15 officers responded.

Meanwhile, Norfolk police were blasted as a case of goldfish poisoning was thrown out after officers did not send the tank's water for tests. Norwich JPs ruled there was no case to answer - at the third hearing. The average magistrates trial costs at least £2,000.