Earlier quoted context omitted.
>a good police force What do you expect the police to do in this situation? They can't just walk into people's homes over your word. OP at least had a noise which in the states I assume is probable cause or something. And even then they'd have to come back with a warrant but got the headphones because the suspect felt defeated. Your situation is bizarre, the helpless feeling of knowing where your stolen item is and n…
They have no reasons other than budget induced apathy. The evidence of a crime is available and their lack of willingness to act is seriously telling
I'm not sure that's the case - the UK police are rigorously judged on the amount of cases they solve. If it was a slam dunk they would have done it.