A MOTHER has complained that police took more than 18 hours to see her nine-year-old son, who had been systematically beaten up by a gang of older children.Josef Pratt was kicked and punched during the attack in Castleton Park, Rochdale, where he had been playing with older brother Kris, 13. About 20 boys and girls formed a ring round Josef, jeering as they held back Kris to prevent him helping his brother. But when the brothers' parents reported the attack, it took four calls to police and 18 hours before an officer arrived to take a statement.Angry mum Debra, of Curzon Road, Castleton, said: "Josef was just playing when three girls started to pick on him. They were name-calling and asking him for a fight - these were 13 or 14-year-olds. Kris told them to leave him alone and they said they were going to get their friends."The next thing he knew 20 boys and girls were there. They held him back so he couldn't get to Josef. An older boy pulled Josef down and was punching him in the face and stomach. Then he said, 'Now he's down you can all have a go'. They all had a go at kicking and punching him."The attack ended when Kris broke free and managed to rescue his brother. The two boys rushed home and their parents immediately called the police, who said they would come round. When the Pratts phoned again to tell the police they were taking Josef to hospital, an officer asked one parent to remain at home to give a statement. But at 10pm - over 2½ hours after the original call - they phoned to ask if the Pratts could call back in the morning.Mrs Pratt said: "We rang them again at 8.30 next day and asked if they could come at 10. They said yes. At 12 they still hadn't been. We rang them again and they promised someone would be out at 12.20. It was 1.15 when she finally turned up."It's totally ridiculous. You phone up because there's violence going on and they're not interested. I know they complain there aren't enough officers, but that's not my son's problem."A police spokeswoman said: "We are inquiring into why the family were not seen earlier and we are investigating the incident. No official complaint has been received."tania.branigan@mcr-evening-news.co.uk
