A SHAMELESS neighbour left a note threatening to clamp a police car parked outside their house - while cops attended to a 94-year-old burglary victim.

Officers rushed to the house in Shirley, West Midlands, to arrest the suspect and parked in the first parking space they could find.

When they left the victim's house they discovered a note informing them the space is for "residents only".

West Midlands Police shared a picture of the note on their Twitter account.

It read: "This car park is for residents only. This is just a warning this time.

"If the vehicle is seen parked again it will be clamped. Thank you (do not ignore)."

The force explained the situation in their tweets, saying police cars are "always there for a reason".

They posted: "#Solihull #BUnit attended reports or a distraction Burglary in Progress in Shirley. As officers arrived the offender opened the door of the address and was swiftly arrested.

"We then spent some time completing an investigation and safeguarding the 94 year old victim.

"This meant we had to park our car in a parking space. It was parked professionally and considerately.

"Unfortunately not all members of the public appreciate the good work we do. When at incidents we do have to park our car.

"Wherever we are we are always there for a reason."

The note shocked the account's followers, which included several officers.

One policeman tweeted: "Keep doing the excellent work that you do, the vast majority of the people we serve will understand. Α great arrest and support offered to α very vulnerable victim. Thank you."

A Twitter user wrote: "WTH - gone are the days when the public would never dream of disrespecting the police."

Another said: "Seriously!?? What a bloody cheek. Can’t imagine anyone leaving a note like this - must be soul destroying for police sometimes."

It is illegal for the public to clamp vehicles on private land.

The Protection of Freedoms Act 2015 makes it a criminal offence to protect drivers from rogue companies and the public.

Drivers whose cars are illegally clamped on private land can call the police.

When you park on private land you enter into a contract with the landowner.

Parking rules should be on clear display and landowners can enforce any of these rules if they're broken.

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 give parking exemptions for police with regard to certain traffic signs.

The police's right to park on yellow lines is not enshrined in law but local authorities can write a traffic order to make police cars exempt from restrictions.

In private car parks police can still be charged if they breach the terms and conditions set out by the landowner.