PARENTS who waited more than four hours for police after their son was attacked by thugs have criticised the "slow" response.

Anthony and Elaine Hughes have hit out at York Police, claiming they are getting little back for the money they pay through their police precept tax.

Chief Inspector Andy Bell admitted the delay was outside their target two-hour response - but stressed: "We have to respond to what is urgent and needs immediate assistance."

But Mr Hughes said the assault on Ashley was serious enough to warrant a quicker response.

Ashley, 16, was attacked by youths close to his home in Middlecroft Drive in Strensall - an officer arrived at about 10pm.

"He was thrown to the floor, punched, head butted and pushed over a wall," said Anthony. "The police should have dealt with that. Five hours later is not dealing with it."

The hackney cab driver said his son did not want to take the matter further.

"It has reached the point where a 16-year-old says 'Dad, what's the point? The police just don't come". I am paying for my family to be protected. But I am paying for something I am not getting." Elaine condemned the delay as "disgusting". She said: "We just sat, waiting and waiting." Anthony added: "Everyone who dials 999 or the North Yorkshire Police number has the right to have immediate assistance because they are paying for it - or at least being charged for it.

"Coppers need our support. They have a hard job. But they are under-manned. Because of that we are suffering.

"Strensall has doubled in size over the last eight years, but we have lost the police station. What are we paying for?"

Chief Inspector Bell agreed the delay was "not ideal", but stressed: "We have to prioritise."

He said Ashley did not need treatment, so there was no need for an immediate response.

He said the assault was reported just before 6pm - 56 other incidents were logged between 5pm and 10pm including missing persons, an on-going break-in, a young assault victim requiring treatment, a sudden death and petrol thrown over a security guard.

"When there is a drunk assaulting someone, we have to respond. We have to put things into context of what else is happening. And we have to work within our finances," he said.

Speaking about policing in Strensall, he said: "We now have a full-time and part-time officer. Previously there was one officer covering Wigginton, Haxby and Strensall.

"This week alone we arrested a team of burglars and detected 22 offences in the area."

Updated: 10:23 Monday, May 23, 2005