A MELTHAM mum has hit out at the way police responded after her son was threatened with a knife.

Susan Steadman said the police response was slow and she was not kept up to speed with what was happening in the case.

She said: "I just feel that the way they treated me has been appalling."

Mrs Steadman's 14-year-old son Ashley was attacked by three youths on Mean Lane in Meltham at 6pm on April 8.

He suffered a cut lip and one of the youths threatened him with a knife.

Worried Mrs Steadman reported the incident to police on April 9.

She was told an officer would visit them within four to five hours - however it was not until 10.54pm on April 10 that anyone came.

Due to the late hour, the officer did not take a full statement and came back on April 17 to do so.

Mrs Steadman said: "We were a bit mad about it, but when the policeman came he was very nice."

However, she then heard nothing about how the investigation was progressing.

On April 20, her son was threatened again by the same three youths while he was out with friends on Station Road in Meltham at around 7pm.

The youths approached him and started shouting at him for speaking to the police.

They also threatened to stab him, though no weapon was produced.

Mrs Steadman called the police again on April 21 to report the incident and was told an officer would come to the house within five hours.

But to date, no officer has been to see the family.

West Yorkshire Police said they contacted Mrs Steadman on April 21 to arrange a visit, but no-one was at home.

However, she contacted them on April 22 and suggested convenient times, but officers could not attend because they were busy with other incidents.

Police contacted Mrs Steadman on April 24 to ask her to contact the call handling unit - but when she did, she was told the officer dealing with the case was not there.

She was told he would be on shift at 7am the following day and she would have to get up early to speak to him.

She said: "I know people have got to have time off but just now I feel shocked.

"I didn't see why I should have to chase this up all the time."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said an investigation was on- going into the threats made against Ashley.

He added: "On this occasion we have dropped below our usual high standards and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"The officer dealing with this incident will be visiting the complainant to address the incidents."