A NEWPORT car dealer hit out at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after two people he claims were caught on CCTV stealing alloy wheels from a forecourt car were released without charge.

Brian Edwards, dealer principle at Evans Halshaw Vauxhall in Spytty Road, said letting the 18 and 21 year olds free after they were spotted on CCTV and caught with the wheel bolts in their pockets "makes a mockery of the system."

Mr Edwards was woken in the early hours by the external CCTV monitoring company to say two people were spotted on camera removing alloy wheels and tyres, worth more than £1,000, from a Vauxhall Corsa.

The company also called the police and were tracking the pair on CCTV.

Mr Edwards said the operators led police to the culprits who were behind Lidl, little more than 100 yards away, with the wheel bolts from the car in their pockets before the four wheels and tyres were found nearby with a fingerprint belonging to one of the men on them.

Despite this, Mr Edwards was told by the CPS the evidence was circumstantial and no charges would be brought.

Mr Edwards said: "I would challenge the head of the CPS to clarify what more is needed to be able to charge the offenders that are clearly responsible for this crime."

Gwent Police confirmed two men, aged 18 and 21, were arrested on suspicion of theft on May 16 after being spotted allegedly trying to steal wheels from a car on the forecourt, but following CPS advice, no further action was taken.

The dealership was targeted again just a week later, when a man was caught trying to steal bodywork from one of the cars. Again he was spotted on CCTV in the early hours and police were called.

This time a 28-year-old man was arrested and charged with criminal damage and theft from a vehicle.

The CPS were not available for comment.