An ex-army sergeant who took on a knife-wielding attacker has lodged a complaint about the way the police handled the incident.

Leonard Webber sent a letter to the Kent Police Professional Standards Department and MP Gordon Henderson, saying he was unhappy with the response.

The 52-year-old disarmed the robber and punched him in the face when he was threatened with a blade as he walked through Milton Creek Country Park at about 5.10pm on October 28.

When he returned to his Kemsley home he dialled 999, but says he was kept waiting on the line for four minutes before speaking to an operator who informed him they would try to get someone out to him "as quickly as possible".

An hour later he was told that due to a high volume of calls an officer wouldn't be available until later that night - but they didn't come until the following day.

"I would like to think attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon is a serious enough incident to warrant an immediate response..." - Leonard Webber

In the letter, the dad-of-two said: "I would like to think attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon is a serious enough incident to warrant an immediate response yet the perpetrator of the offence was allowed to get away and have a head start.

"I feel the police did not take the attempted robbery with a deadly weapon seriously enough to warrant their time."

A spokesman for the force said: "The victim was not reported to have been injured, the offender had left the scene and there were no apparent immediate forensic opportunities.

"Unfortunately due to other priority calls officers were unable to visit the victim the same evening, so an appointment was arranged for the next day.

"Officers also carried out a search of the area to explore any CCTV opportunities and other lines of inquiry.

"Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and are urging anyone who was in the area at the time to contact them."

The suspect is described as a white man, aged between 25 and 29, 5ft 8in tall, of heavy build and was clean shaven.

He was wearing a dark red T-shirt with a grey tracksuit with large pockets.

Anyone with information is asked to call DS Cara Ferguson on 01634 792350, quoting reference XY/38225/14.

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