Curlers were sent flying as two teenage women fled from a Hove hair salon without paying.

Stunned proprietor Louise Thompson-Holt had her arm twisted by one of the offenders, who tried to steal a hair clip before running.

There have been incidents of people leaving without paying at petrol stations, restaurants and hotels, but a Sussex Police spokesman said: "I've never heard of someone 'doing-a-runner' from a hairdressers."

But Mrs Thompson-Holt is not amused, and she is far from pleased with the police.

The two offenders acted "like animals" while they had their hair permed.

Mrs Thompson-Holt was worried they would cause more trouble so she secretly telephoned the police.

No officers showed up and ten minutes later her fears came true as the women ran out, leaving her £50 out of pocket.

Mrs Thompson-Holt, who runs the Crowns franchise in Western Road, said: "They spat on the floor, burped, smoked all the time and were effing and blinding in front of customers.

"They ran out of here with curlers flying everywhere. One grabbed my hand and twisted my arm as I stopped her stealing a hair clip.

"They were disgusting, violent and dangerous, yet when I called the police, the force let me down.

"It was scary, but there was no support from the police.

"When an officer finally telephoned me back an hour after I first called, he said our incident had not been important enough for them to attend.

"Well, I say to the police force, 'Thanks very much - for nothing.'"

A spokesman for Hove police said: "Unfortunately there were no resources available at the time and the call was not graded as an emergency.

"We are sorry if Mrs Thompson-Holt is unhappy."

The two women were described as dirty. One was aged about 17 and the other about 14 or 15.

Both had long bleached hair and spoke with Irish accents.

One wore hipster trousers and a belly-top.

The other wore a bikini top and dirty white trousers.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Hove police on 0845 6070999.