A Bradford man who claimed he had been attacked and robbed after withdrawing money from a cash machine has been cautioned for wasting police time.

The 24-year-old, of Great Horton, was arrested after making the false allegation.

He said he had withdrawn £250 from the cash machine in Great Horton Road and had then been robbed and attacked by an unknown man on his way home.

Officers raised doubts about the man’s claims when they discovered he had tried to withdraw the money but the transactions were refused due to insufficient finds in his account.

The man later admitted making the false report, and was given a caution.

Detective Inspector Alan Flynn of Bradford South CID said: “We will not tolerate any false reports of crime and anyone making them will be dealt with.

“Any allegation made to the police is treated seriously and officers can spend significant periods of time gathering evidence, obtaining statements, identifying witnesses and looking for forensic evidence.

“False reports of this kind mean that officers who could be investigating other matters are wastefully employed. This is a criminal offence and will be treated accordingly. In this instance the man has received a formal caution which will stay on his record for some time.”