While a gang of youths tried to smash their way into an elderly persons' residential home in Warwick, police said they were too busy to come and investigate.
Three helpless members of staff were working at Woodside in Spinney Hill when the building was set upon by the group at about 1.30am on Sunday morning.
After trying, and failing, to kick the door they prised drainpipes off the side of the building and used them to smash the windows in attempt to gain entry. After a a few minutes the gang ran off - but not because police were on their way. Officers did not turn up to answer the emergency calls until ten hours after they were made.
Members of staff at the home would not speak to the Courier and the home's manager refused to criticise the police for their lack of urgency saying she "understood why they did not come because they had other things to do".
But a nearby resident, who did not want to be named but whose relative is living in the home, was critical.
She said: "This is not just vandalism - it's far more than that. It is a home for elderly residents. What would have happened to them, and the staff, if these people had got in? The lack of police response was not acceptable.
"We were very concerned for the people in the home and the three members of staff who were working there at the time."
Coun Martyn Ashford (Lab, Warwick North) is another who says the way this has been handled is not good enough.
He added: "There was a skeleton staff of about three people on duty and the emergency was phoned in. I have been told by staff that the police said they could not do anything about it - but why not?
"For people who have relatives staying in the home that sort of response must be very worrying.
"It is not good enough."
A police spokesman said: "We were particularly busy on Saturday night and made so many arrests that our resources were stretched.
"This incident was reported to us but by the time we could respond the alleged offenders were no longer at the scene.
"We have apologised to the home for what they perceived as a delay."
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