A TERRIFIED teenager has hit out at police after she said officers failed to respond to her 999 cry for help.

Sarah McPherson was violently assaulted on Saturday night by two bike-riding youths who smashed her head against a wall.

The traumatised 17-year-old was subjected to an unprovoked attack as she walked towards her Middlesbrough home.

The college student was walking along Cinderwood, Thorntree, from nearby shops at about 10pm when the attack happened and she said she immediately dialled 999.

She added: "I can't believe the police didn't come when I called them. If they had responded straight away, they might have caught these two.

"I was really lucky that I was not too seriously injured, but who knows what could have happened.

"All I want now is to put it all behind me and get back to normal, but that won't happen unless these two are caught."

Her 47-year-old father, Ian, said: "My daughter has been left badly shaken up by this attack. Every time she tries to talk about it, she starts crying," he said. "She has injuries to her forehead, they ran her over on their bikes before continuing to attack her.

"It is absolutely terrifying what could have happened to my her, and the police have done nothing about it. Instead of catching speeding motorists, why aren't they trying to stop thugs from attacking young girls when they had the perfect chance?"

A police spokesman said they had no record of the call reporting the attack on their log.

Mr McPherson said: "It is ridiculous. I can't believe they are saying that after I also phoned on several occasions yesterday. This is just not on."