A taxi driver who was attacked by a customer has said he feels let down by the police.

Stuart Francis, 36, who works for Folkestone Taxis, was punched during the early hours of New Year’s Day. He had driven to Seabrook to the aid of another driver who believed he was in danger.

The police were called but did not turn up. Mr Francis, who suffered a perforated eardrum, said: “I sat there in shock and in pain for nearly two hours, only to be told that the police probably wouldn’t do anything. They eventually took a statement from me four days later. I think it’s terrible.

“The person who did this will probably get away with it.”

Police said they had 70 calls from the public in Shepway between midnight and 7am on New Year’s Day.

Ch Insp Martin Bradley said: “Each call is assessed and priority is given to incidents where assaults or crimes are actually taking place and life is threatened.”

Mr Francis and another driver followed their colleague’s taxi, which contained five unruly youths in their late teens. After arguing about the fare the youths got out of the taxi and one knocked on the passenger window of the taxi being driven by Mr Francis. At the same time another youth pulled open the car door and punched Mr Francis in the ear.

The controller at Folkestone Taxis phoned the police. The three taxi drivers and one of their passengers then waited at the scene for around two hours for the police to turn up - but no one came.

When Mr Francis, 36, called police again he was told it was unlikely an officer would attend.

He said: “I went to the police station the next day and waited for half an hour and was told no one was free to talk to me. They eventually took a statement from me four days later."

Another taxi driver who witnessed the attack, who did not want to be named, said: “When you dial 999 you expect to get help. We hope that if we are in danger the police will give assistance, but they didn’t. The police could have made a quick arrest.”

Ch Insp Bradley said: “New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is our busiest part of the year.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to attend this call immediately as the victim was not in immediate danger. I appreciate how frustrating it must have been for the taxi driver to be told to wait and then to be informed that there were no spare patrols to see him.

“We have now had the opportunity to speak to him, take statements and launch an investigation into the assault.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, between 5am and 5.30am, is asked to phone South Kent Police on 01303 850055.