THREE months after a pensioner was turned away from a police station for trying to report a burglary, crime victims can now visit and log a crime – but only by telephone.

Graham Hall, 69, walked into the reception at Thames Valley Police Headquarters, in Kidlington, in February after burglars broke into his nearby shed and stole pool cues and an electric fan.

A security guard initially asked the burglary victim if he was there to take part in a poker tournament at the social club.

Then Mr Hall, of Hazel Crescent, in Kidlington, was told he could not report the crime because it was not an official police station – and was handed a fridge magnet with the police non-emergency number instead.

Now police have installed a telephone at the HQ’s entrance.

Deputy Chief Constable Francis Habgood said: “In response to an incident in February, where a member of the public tried to report a crime at the Thames Valley Police HQ in Kidlington, we have now installed a yellow phone in the entrance porch area.

“Although the headquarters building is non-operational, the phone will now allow members of the public to report a crime to the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre.”

Mr Hall was not available to comment.

Since the debacle, police have launched the Policing Pledge promising to answer all 999 calls in 15 minutes in urban areas and 20 minutes in the countryside.

All non-emergency calls will be attended in 60 minutes if the victim is vulnerable or arrange an officer to visit within 48 hours.

The police HQ still does not have a front counter service and cannot take details of crimes or lost property.

Crimes can be reported by ringing 08458 505 505 or at the front desk at police stations. Opening times can be found at thamesvalley.police.uk