A POLICE chief says he will look in to whether his officers could have done more to help a "frightened" woman who was being followed by two men through St John's late at night.

Your Worcester News reported on Monday how Emma Starkey was told by police to call a taxi because they were too busy to respond to her call on Friday night.

The 23-year-old nurse said she was frightened by two “aggressive” young men following her through the streets as she walked home from Foregate Street railway station at 10.30pm.

Miss Starkey, who lives in St John's, said she first encountered the men in Bromyard Road.

She said they were acting aggressively, taunting her and although she crossed the road to avoid them several times they crossed the road to follow her each time.

She said she called the police after stopping outside the Garibaldi, where she called the police.

She said: “I told the police what had happened and I was hoping they would send someone out, but the woman I was talking to just said I should get a taxi. She definitely said that. I got the impression that because I said I was by the Garibaldi, she thought I had been drinking.

“If the police had turned up, they would maybe have got the idea that what they did was wrong, was unacceptable, but it didn’t happen. I was angry that no-one came out. Next time, who knows what they will do?”

Superintendent Kevin Purcell, policing commander for South Worcestershire, messaged your Worcester News on Twitter saying: "It was a busy time for us. However I am not sure we got this right. (I) will look into it and ensure that we learn any lessons."

Superintendent David Gardner said: "We were in contact with Emma throughout the incident and confirmed she arrived home safely. Officers also attended Emma's home following the incident. We are reviewing whether more could have been done at the time, and will look to see if any improvements need to be made to ensure we prioritise incidents effectively and continue to protect people from harm."

Responding to the story on the newspapers Facebook page, people had mixed opinions on the police's response.

Lee Griffiths wrote: "That should have been a priority call, a young woman scared on her own. If that was my wife I would be spitting fire" while Kim Bishopp wrote: "She would probably have waited hours for a police presence so maybe a taxi would have been quicker. However, if the police had arrived they may well have been able to find these stalkers. I really hope this poor lady is okay and never has to suffer this again."

However, Hayley Brooks said: "She was told that because the police were too busy in town. It would have been quicker to get a taxi. They did make sure she got home okay so its not like they didn't care" and Jenny Watkins wrote: "Friday night is a busy night for the police, and thanks to all the cuts we do not have enough police on the ground to cover all crime as it is."