A FAMILY has spoken of their frustration after their 12-year-old son called police during an attempted robbery... only to be told no officers would be sent out to help him.

Kim Davies and her partner Mark Ounsworth said they were “disgusted” when their son came home from Chalkwell Park after being targeted by a gang of teenagers.

Ms Davies, 37, who lives in Southchurch, said: “My son and two of his friends were cornered by nine boys on mountain bikes in Chalkwell Park. First they tried to rob one of his friend’s phones and then they tried to take his bike - they pushed him off his bike but he managed to hold onto it.

“One of them was swinging a sock around with something in it but he didn’t know what.”

Ms Davies said her son, who will remain anonymous, and his friends attempted to call police three times, but were told to “just leave the area” and an officer was not dispatched to the scene.

Mr Ounsworth, 43, added: “I’m fed up with the way they have done nothing. I don’t want my son being another statistic. He’s not in a gang - he’s been brought up well and I put him in Kung Fu to give him a chance. Anything could have happened to him - so many kids are using weapons these days.”

The couple have said the incident has left them worried.

Ms Davies said: “He is a pretty street-wise kid but he has been a bit shaken up. It has frustrated us - they were being threatened and physically shoved to the floor. People were watching but no-one wants to get involved these days because you never know who is carrying a knife.”

Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident.

A spokesman said: “We are investigating after a boy reported a group of boys had tried to steal his mobile phone and his friend’s bike. He also reported they had threatened to throw eggs and objects at him.

“Witnesses and anyone with information are asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 42/75081/18.

“All emergency calls are assessed based on threat, harm, risk and vulnerability and we did not attend at the time as from the information given to us the victim did not appear to be in immediate danger as the suspects were not in the area.”