A widow suffering from cancer had her home attacked by vandals five times in three weeks but police have not visited her.

The victim, 77, said: "I would complain about the poor police service but I haven't had any."

Her windows have been boarded over and she is having a high fence put up to protect her home.

Hers is the latest in a string of complaints about Sussex Police.

The victim, who did not want her full name published for fear of retaliation from the vandals, said she called the non-emergency police line after two of the five attacks, the last time on January 18.

The pensioner, who has bone cancer, said she told the operator her bungalow in Portslade had been attacked five times since New Year's Eve.

She said: "I would have liked an officer to come round and talk to me but I must admit I didn't think to ask.

"What's the use? They are a waste of time. The only time a policeman shows up is when you've had your throat cut."

Sussex Police said the victim was offered advice both times she called and had seemed content.

A spokesman said a community police officer was planning to visit her tomorrow.

But a retired officer said: "This woman should have had a call from an officer weeks ago to sit down and just have a cup of tea with her.

"She should have been offered some reassurance and crime prevention advice."

Pensioner Thomas Didcott told on Tuesday how he tracked down his wife's stolen car but police were too busy to seize it.

Officers rang him the next day, having recovered the car, and left him with a £250 tow bill. The force agreed to meet the charge but Mr Didcott would have to pay storage costs until the car was collected.

Yesterday we told how police failed to show up after Rob Dean was the victim a homophobic attack on Brighton seafront at the weekend.

Police said they were "looking into why our response was not as good as it should have been."

Also yesterday, staff at Portslade Community College complained police had said they were too busy to attend and deal with acts of vandalism and threats.

Chief Inspector Lance Gray said resources were committed elsewhere on two of the three occasions.