Rugby league coach Keith Reeves claims the police's blas attitude to his lost mobile phone has left him facing a £740 bill of unwanted calls.

Keith from Riddlesden lost his phone while in his garden and whoever found it made 200 calls on it leaving him to foot the bill. He reported it to the police four times, but he claims they didn't take it seriously.

Keith is liable for the £737.21p bill because the calls were made before he reported it missing.

He made his last call on the phone at 5pm on Saturday June 16 and the thief started using it from 5am Sunday morning through to Tuesday June 19.

Telecom giants Orange had automatically disconnected the phone on Tuesday June 19 when they noticed it was been used irregularly.

Keith realised it was missing on Tuesday afternoon when his friend informed him that a girl had answered the call.

He reported it to the police and went on holiday to Turkey the next day, but when he returned he found the phone bill waiting for him. Keith said: "I went away and assumed it would all be sorted out by the time I got back to my home.

"When I reported it as been lost, I didn't realise it had been used. The police would not look in to it because they were not treating it as a crime."

In two days the thief made 120 calls to three local taxi firms, 51 to a mobile phone number, 25 to Pakistan and two to Hong Kong.

The 42-year-old said: "I'm really frustrated with the police for their lack of interest. They told me it doesn't matter because I'm insured but I'm not for the bill.

"I checked the numbers called and they belong to three Keighley taxi firms. It doesn't take a genius to work out who's done it by using the numbers called.

"Orange said I am not insured for the phone calls made up to when it was reported. I am not upset with Orange they have been great, but I am annoyed that the police aren't taking this seriously. £740 is a lot of money."

A spokesman for Orange said: "He is liable for the amount before he reported it missing. We do look into fraud on a case by case basis, but it is up to the police to investigate the crime."

West Yorkshire Police say: "Initially there was no clear indication that an offence took place and it could have been possible that the telephone was misplaced.

"However, with subsequent misuse of the telephone an offence of theft has been committed by someone treating the property as their own.

"The matter is currently being investigated by Keighley police. They have contacted Mr Reeves and informed him of the present situation.

"It's a timely reminder for people to be vigilant with their easily accessible valuables, such as mobile phones."

In response to the police Keith said: "I'm not optimistic they will be able to do much and I think I'll have to stand the bill.

What concerns me is the nature of the calls and the suspicion of what it has been used for. It would appear to have been used for a far more serious crime not just fraudulent calls. The police haven't got much to go on."