Three police officers who tampered with a security camera, unaware their prank was being filmed, will not be disciplined by Sussex Police.

The officers were near an address in Station Road, Southwater, Horsham, during the course of an inquiry when they decided to turn a camera over the door of a flat so it faced the wrong way.

But later that night the joke backfired after the owner of the camera, lorry driver Jeff Nelson, was burgled of £11,000 worth of belongings from his flat.

When he played back the video tape, hoping to spot the raiders, he instead saw the officers turning the camera round 180 degrees.

Two years after the incident, on May 8 1999, Mr Nelson is furious he has received no compensation and the alleged burglary has never been solved. He claims he lost five watches, a camera, a flute and £300 cash from his £90,000 flat above an off-licence where he has lived for four years.

Mr Nelson said he would like to sue the force but cannot afford the legal fees.

A report from the Police Complaints Authority said: "The officers concerned have admitted moving your video camera and have apologised for any inconvenience caused. Your complaint is therefore substantiated."

Phil Woolf, the spokesman for Sussex Police's Forest Division, said: "The officers went to the address in Station Road, Southwater, in the course of their inquiries. They were on duty.

"We received two complaints, one which was substantiated that the officers redirected the camera, and another about an alleged comment they made, which was not substantiated.

"Mr Nelson has not made a civil claim against the force. We did have a report of a burglary at his address on May 8 1999.

"A report was sent to the Police Complaints Authority which decided no disciplinary action was necessary."