A PENSIONER who stood guard over a suspect suitcase in a busy street today criticised police for taking almost half an hour to arrive.

Jerry Laurie, 70, was walking along Portland Road, Hove, when he noticed a motorcyclist riding off, leaving a suitcase on the pavement.

He contacted police, then waited near the case with his wife Cynthia to warn passers-by to stay clear.

Eventually a police officer arrived and opened the case to find it contained paperwork.

The motorcyclist returned later and sheepishly confessed he had forgotten to pick it up.

But Mr Laurie, of King's Esplanade, Hove, was disappointed police did not seem to take the matter seriously.

He said: "I felt I ought to do something because of recent events. We have all seen the consequences when you ignore things like this."

The retired chartered surveyor added: "I was shocked the police took so long to arrive."

Apolice spokesman said they had received several calls about the suitcase.

She said: "There are checks we do to determine the seriousness of the situation.

"The information we received from CCTV footage and the public helped us to make an informed decision that in this instance is was not serious.

"I apologise that we did not get back to this gentleman to say we were on our way."

She thanked Mr Laurie and other members of the public for being vigilant and stressed police welcomed any information about unattended bags.

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