LINE OF Overtaxed cops turn up in force NEWTY to probe Sheeran’s critter crisis

HARD-PRESSED police swooped on pop star Ed Sheeran’s home over claims builders had disturbed a colony of rare newts.

Despite rising crime and officers being “too busy” to investigate some burglaries, police descended on the singer’s Suffolk estate – dubbed “Sheeranville”.

It has been claimed great crested newts – a protected species – were unsettled when an old pond was tidied up.

Sheeran, 27, who is worth £80million, bought four houses next to each other to create his estate near Framlingham.

Police and council officers launched investigations into work on two ponds. Suffolk Police said: “Police have investigated an allegation of disturbance to a European Protected Species.

“No evidence has been found at this time to suggest there was an offence committed.

“Any such reports are investigated and if we have sufficient evidence, we will take action.” The Lego House hitmaker remains under investigation by Suffolk Coastal Council over planning permission for a second newly-built pond.

Killing, injuring, or disturbing the creatures carries a maximum six-month jail term and a £5,000 fine.

Sheeran’s neighbours have objected to the estate works, with one claiming the development shows a “total disregard” for the newts.

A spokesman for Ed claimed he was granted permission to build a pond in 2016.

News of the newt investigation came as figures revealed crime has soared in the last year, including a 30% spike in

robberies. Last week, police refused to investigate a phone theft even though the victim had a mugshot of the suspect, his name and his address.

In May, police allegedly said they were “too busy” to investigate a burglary in north London despite six officers turning up when ex-Arsenal star Ian Wright’s car was stolen the

next day.