POLICE today launched an investigation after a 65-year-old cancer patient revealed he had been waiting almost two weeks for officers to investigate a break-in.

Albert Hearle, 65, branded police 'a disgrace' after claiming he called them six times over the course of three days and was promised an officer was on the way -- but each time they failed to show up.

He said he gave up calling three days after the burglary -- on March 25 -- and was still waiting for help. Police have apologised and say they are conducting an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Today the case prompted a political row after Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw declined to comment because the victim lived in Nigel Evans' Ribble Valley constituency.

Mr Evans said: "This is just appalling treatment. I thought Jack Straw would have something to say as he is, after all, Home Secretary.

Mr Hearle, who suffers from lung cancer, said he waited at the property, which he owns but does not live in, for up to four hours at a time before leaving to go for radiotherapy treatment at Royal Preston Hospital.

Mr Hearle, of Quarry Bank, Abbott Brow, Mellor Brook, Blackburn, said: "I despair at the service offered by the Blackburn police. My complaint is not about efficiency. It is a complaint about total inactivity."

The pensioner has written to Lancashire Police Chief Constable Pauline Clare to complain about the service he received.

Mr Hearle said he first called police after discovering a break-in in Walsh Street, Blackburn. The carpets from the lounge and bedroom had been stolen.

He said: "I can only say that for someone who has always been very supportive of the police, the service I have received is an absolute disgrace."

Chief Inspector Mick Gledhill, operations manager at Blackburn Police, said: "Mr Hearle is quite correct in that the standard of service he describes is clearly inadequate and not what we would expect to provide.

"It does, however, need to be pointed out that our communications room receives more than 2,500 calls per day and in the vast majority of cases members of the public are very satisfied with the service they receive and, indeed, are generally very complimentary."

Mr Gledhill added his Superintendent David Mallaby would contact Mr Hearle to get the full details.