A TERRIFIED mum told how police failed to turn up to help her as a stranger repeatedly hammered on her windows and doors.

Angela Nicholson, 49, feared for her life when the man, who was pounding on her door refused to leave.

She dialled 999 and claims a call handler told her the incident was a priority. However, two more than two hours later she was still waiting.

Ms Nicholson eventually answered the front door to confront the man, who is understood to have taken drugs.

She said: “The man was banging on the door and window really heavily and just wouldn’t go away.

“I went to the door with my dog and I opened the door to him.

“He seemed high on drugs.

“It could have gone very wrong.

“He had hold of one of my metal solar lights and a hiking stick with a point on it - I didn’t know what he was going to do.”

Ms Nicholson was not hurt during the incident, which took place at 6.30pm on Tuesday.

The man eventually fled the scene.

Three-and-a-half hours after Ms Nicholson reported the incident she was contacted by Essex Police. The call handler apologised and asked if she was safe.

Ms Nicholson added: “When I called police, they said that it was priority and that police were on their way.

“They called back at 9pm saying sorry that they couldn’t come - but by that time the man had disappeared.”

Ms Nicholson told the Echo she felt let down by the police.

She said: “Luckily he left but they don’t know what could have happened.

“This isn’t the first time stuff has happened here - I have seen drug deals taking place on my street.

“Enough is enough.”

Essex Police have increased patrols in the area as they investigate the incident.

A spokesman said: “We assess every call based on the threat, harm and risk to the public and vulnerability involved in the incident and respond accordingly.

“Based on the information received, we gave advice to the caller and the information was passed to the community policing team."

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.