A FORMAL investigation into Essex Police “must be launched” after victims of a vicious homophobic attack called 999 five times but their pleas for help were ignored.

Dan Wilson and Rob Morris sustained injuries to their face, ribs, and were left black and bruised after being kicked and beaten on the floor by the gang outside Colors nightclub in Basildon.

They repeatedly called police moments after they made it to safety in their block of flats in the early hours of Sunday morning, but support failed to materialise.

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Now Dave Wilson, 65, Dan’s father, is calling for an investigation, believing the police didn’t take it seriously enough.

He said: “I’m disgusted at what happened, and the lack of response.

“The police let them down, 100 per cent.”

The gang even tried to follow the pair into their flat building, until another couple walking past stepped in. The pair later went to A&E.

The attack comes during Hate Crime Awareness Week, which aims to wipe out the shocking crimes, and educate the wider population.

Both David Burton-Sampson, the former Mayor of Basildon, alongside Basildon Pride, stood in solidarity.

Mr Burton-Sampson, said: “It’s totally unacceptable and abhorrent.”

He was left confused as to why police did not attend, and will be probing senior officers as a result.

Acting District Commander for Basildon, Acting Chief Inspector Steven Parry, said: “Any act that incites hate towards members of our communities will not be tolerated.

“The incident outside Colors in Basildon this past weekend was completely unacceptable and we’re working to identify those responsible.

“Between 1am and 3am on Sunday 10 October, around the time the incident was reported, there were a total of 16 emergencies requiring immediate officer attendance across the Basildon district.

“Regrettably, this meant that we were not able to get officers to the victims when they called us.”

“However, this case has already been assigned to an officer from our Community Policing Team, who work closely with licensing teams and pubs and clubs in the area, and they are working to identify the suspects.

“If you experience something similar, or witness a hate crime in action, please continue to report it. The more information provided to us, the quicker we can take these hateful individuals off the streets.

“If you’re on a night out, please also tell a member of staff so that they are aware.”

If you have any information about the assault, which occurred in Southernhay, Basildon in the early hours of Sunday 10 October, you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the ‘Live Chat’ button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

Please quote the crime reference number 42/225795/21.

You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you are a victim of hate crime, you can report it online, by dialling 101 or 999 if it’s an emergency.

You can also report it at any police station or by visiting one of the 14 hate crime reporting centres in the county. More details are available here: How to report hate crime | Essex Police