THE grandmother of a Thurrock teen who was mugged by a gang of youths threatening to use knives has told of her fury that Essex Police did not interview him until four days later.

The grandmother, from South Ockendon, feels let down by the police as they first arranged to take her grandson’s statement nearly 24 hours after the mugging was reported, and then didn’t turn up at all.

The mother of the 15-year-old victim, whose phone was stolen, received an apology from the police when she queried why they hadn’t turned up the next day, but no explanation.

The police then said they would come on Monday evening to take the statement, but again the family received no visit.

The grandmother said: “When people are frightened, distressed or even hurt, they at least want some immediate reassurance, they don't want to have to wait hours.

"I'm fuming, what kind of message does this send to teenagers- that the police don't give a damn?

“Lets hear it for the boys in blue!”

She added: "I know they are under staffed and have a difficult job, but this is just gross incompetence.

"How many people does it take to get a statement?

"I heard on the radio Saturday that Essex Police claimed there were ‘100 less reported incidents than on Halloween last year’, Well that's probably because people are fed up with what appears to be a lack of urgency, perhaps the real reason is because people think - why bother?"

The police turned up to interview her grandson yesterday evening.

The mugging took place in Grays around 8pm on Halloween night, when three teenage boys, two aged 15 and one aged 14, were approached by a gang of youths at Blackshots.

One of the victims had his mobile phone taken, another was punched in the face, and a third boy was threatened before the gang made off.

Police have released descriptions of three of the attackers.

One was a black man aged 17, of slim build, wearing dark clothing.

The second suspect was black, aged 15 to 16, slim, wearing a Nike cap, while the third was black, 17, 5ft 11, wearing a dark hooded top and of stocky build.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Grays police on 0300 3334444.