A father whose son was hit with a plank of wood by yobs has accused the police of failing to act nine days after the attack.

Tony Miller, of Ewhurst Road, Brighton, said he had lost confidence in the police after hearing nothing from them following his 15-year-old son's initial report.

Sussex Police apologised to the family yesterday - the second time in a week the force has been called on to explain its inaction following reports of violent attacks.

On Thursday, The Argus reported how it apologised unreservedly to 54-year-old butcher Dave Johnstone, who was ignored by police for three days after suffering horrific injuries at the hands of drunken yobs.

Mr Miller's 15-year-old son, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, was set upon by a gang of four as he walked up Bear Road, Brighton, on April 25.

Mr Miller, 46, said the group began taunting his son, who dresses as a "goth", before one hit him in the face and another hit him in the back with a plank of wood, leaving a red welt.

Mr Miller said: "He told me he started to run off towards the newsagents and as he did the plank was hurled after him and whistled past his head."

When he heard of the attack, Mr Miller called the police and was told an officer would be round within an hour.

He called back two hours later when no one arrived and was told to go to the police station in John Street.

Mr Miller said he waited for another two hours with his son before they were seen by a policewoman. He said: "She told us my son couldn't give a proper statement because he is only 15 and he had to speak to a special type of officer so she took a few notes.

"After ten or 15 minutes we came out and I had not heard anything from them until Thursday when I phoned to find out what was happening.

"She said she wanted to speak to the headteacher at my son's school but the attack happened two or three miles from there.

"No one has been in touch for us to make a proper statement."

Mr Miller said he had been let down by the police before when it took six weeks and 20 phone calls before a statement was taken about a bullying incident involving another child.

Mr Miller said: "What happened to my son wasn't as serious but after two incidents in one year it just makes me wonder what the police are doing.

"If you park on a double yellow line you get a ticket within hours but someone can go running around the streets beating people up and nothing seems to get done about it.

"I am just fed up to the back teeth of the time it takes the police to react to things at the moment.

"To wait nine days and still not be informed of anything or just have one call - it's just not good enough."

Inspector Laurence Taylor, of Sussex Police, apologised to the family yesterday and reassured Mr Miller the matter would be dealt with.

He said: "There were a number of cases that night and Mr Miller has been apologised to for the delay.

"Officers are going to ensure it gets dealt with.

"A statement will be taken and the suspects arrested.

"The WPC's inspector has been spoken to."