A PUB landlord foiled a theft - but the criminals returned to wreak a frightening revenge in the middle of the night.

Now, 53-year-old Martin Conway has hit out at the police response to both the original crime and then after he was targeted.

He said they never even thanked him for helping them and did not turn up to investigate for 12 hours after his pub was attacked.

Mr Conway and his 41-year-old wife, Mandy, have run the Swan at Outlane for three years.

A children's play area opposite was being renovated last week and at 1am last Thursday Mr Conway went outside to get something from his car.

He saw a white van and a dark blue Subaru Impreza next to it.

He said: "It looked very suspicious and when they got metal ramps out of the back of the van I realised they were stealing the mini-digger."

He immediately dialled 999, but the thieves saw him and drove off with the digger through Outlane on to the moors at Scammonden.

Mr Conway said they abandoned the van with the digger still in it across the road to slow down pursuing police.

He added: "The police got the digger back and the white van used by the thieves. But no-one came to take a statement from me and I never even got a word of thanks."

At about 3.20am yesterday the couple and their 12-year-old son, Sean, were woken by the sound of breaking glass.

Stones had been hurled through nine windows at the front of the pub, causing hundreds of pounds damage.

Mr Conway looked out and saw the blue Subaru speeding away.

When he phoned the police to tell them about the attack he was given a crime number - but no-one came to investigate until after 3.15pm yesterday.

A policewoman then took statements about the digger theft and the attack. The damage was photographed.

"All I tried to do was be a good citizen," said Mr Conway. "Now the windows are boarded up and the pub looks like it's been bombed.

"It's the price I've paid for standing up for decent people."

Det Chief Insp Tony Craven, head of Huddersfield CID, said he would be talking to Mr Conway. The police were very appreciative of the help he gave.