A woman made a 999 call after she was attacked outside her Sussex home - and waited nine days for the police to arrive.

Sarah Standing, 36, waited for a full day before going to hospital for treatment, expecting officers to arrive at any moment.

Despite her home in Greenwood Court, Crawley, having a "history mark" and being a known priority after a previous attack, she said it was only when she threatened to make an official complaint that a police officer arrive to take a statement.

She said: "It really makes me feel disappointed with the police, and unprotected. I don't feel safe any more."

Ms Standing, who thought she may have broken her shoulder as a result of the incident, had to wait until the next day before going to Crawley Hospital.

She said: "I kept thinking the police were going to arrive. Luckily, my shoulder was only badly bruised but it could have been worse. It makes me worry what will happen next time."

After the initial 999 call, Ms Standing made several calls to the police switchboard and was told that someone was on their way.

She said: "I realise they are very busy and have a difficult job to do but they could have at least told me no one was coming.

"I phoned the normal police number several times after the first 999 call to find out where they were and they kept telling me someone was dealing with it.

"I would have understood if they had said they were having problems getting to me."

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "A history mark would normally mean a fast response."

Inspector Geoff Charnock, of Crawley Police, added: "We regret it took as long as nine days for this woman to be seen but police resources dictate that calls have to be graded according to priority.

"While it is difficult to know the details of the case, if it took a long time to come back it suggests it was a low priority call."