Police returned a stolen car to its owner - and left crucial evidence inside, including a bank letter and trainers with someone's name in.

Graham Poulter found that the thieves had left behind a number of items, which were missed by investigating officers.

They included a bank letter with a name and address on it, a credit card receipt, a crowbar and a large kitchen knife.

Officers had dusted down the door handle for fingerprints but somehow also overlooked prescription tablets in the glove box and a mobile phone full of names and numbers stuffed down the back seat.

In the boot of the Ford Escort Mr Poulter, 43, was further stunned to find a pair of trainers with somebody's name written on the inside.

Mr Poulter, of The Quadrant, Goring, near Worthing, said: "I just couldn't believe it. No wonder the police have trouble catching car thieves if this is the extent of their forensics.

"With this evidence, I might as well solve the crime myself.

"They should have known none of these things were mine. When the car was stolen, I told them I had just it got back from being valeted and it was spick and span inside."

Mr Poulter's car was stolen from outside Goring station two weeks ago and recovered by police in Worthing on Sunday.

The vehicle, which had been fitted with false number plates, was taken to a pound in Fontwell where tests were carried out and its owner traced.

Mr Poulter, who runs his own vehicle recovery business, said: "I know how the system works so when my car was stolen, I told police if they recovered it I would collect it myself rather than pay someone else.

"In the event, it was the recovery firm that rang me so I had no choice but to pay to get it back."

Last week, we reported on the outrage of car crime victims forced to pay £105 to collect their cars once they had been recovered by police.

Motorists in Sussex are paying almost £1 million a year to retrieve their stolen or crashed cars from the pound, where they are taken so officers can carry out forensic tests.

Police justify the double whammy paid by victims by pointing out they can reclaim recovery costs from their insurance company.

Sussex Police spokesman Nick Sandford said officers had already recovered a number of items from Mr Poulter's car, which were being sent away for scientific analysis.

He said: "Vehicle examiners search stolen vehicles for items alien to the owner and the vehicle.

"In some cases there are circumstances where items are not easily identifiable with the owner or the offender. Every effort is made to capture the evidence.

"Owners, who on receipt of collecting their vehicle find items not belonging to them have an opportunity to contact the officer in charge of the case, who will arrange collection of these items for examination."