Justice Secretary Michael Gove's wife has criticised "tick-box" policing after she was told officers would not attend when she reported a possible break-in.

Sarah Vine said a constable had attended the family's home to interview her daughter after her mobile phone was reported stolen - but no house visit was available when she contacted police fearing an intrusion in the early hours of the morning.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Ms Vine said her husband was away when she was woken at around 3.30am by the sound of the alarm going off.

She said she rang the 101 non-emergency helpline and was asked by the operator if there was any sign of a break-in.

"I explained that I couldn't see - because I was locked in my bedroom and didn't fancy going downstairs on my own to find out," Ms Vine wrote.

She was told police would not come out unless there were signs of a break-in.

"I can't really remember what I said, but I recall expressing surprise that a lone woman with two children reporting a potential break-in would not merit at least a quick drive-by from a local patrol car," she added.

A few days earlier, Ms Vine said, an officer spent half an hour questioning her daughter over her mobile phone in what she described as a "monumental waste of effort".

She added: "In fairness to the 101 lady and the constable who came about the phone, they were very nice.

"But they seem depressing examples of how so many of the decisions the police make are based on centralised, computer-generated, tick-box protocol rather than common sense."

Controversy erupted earlier this year when it was suggested that the public should not always expect an officer to turn up after a break-in as forces prioritise other crimes amid budget cuts.