DORSET Police have improved their response to non-emergency calls after complaints from residents.

There were concerns from members of the public after just over half of calls to the 101 non-emergency number were answered within 30 seconds in July.

New telephone operators and upgraded technology are part of a plan to improve the service.

Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, pictured right, said: “The public have rightly been vocal surrounding this crucial 101 non-emergency service and I’m pleased that the latest figures are demonstrating a notable improvement.

“Good communication between our communities and the force’s officers and staff is essential as we need to know all about the concerns of the public in order to ensure we serve them to the best of our ability.

“It is precisely for that reason that I want the 101 service to be efficient and accessible at all times.”

Since the improvements, the percentage of non-emergency calls answered within 30 seconds has risen from 54 per cent in July to 69 per cent in August.

In July, a total of 13,328 calls were answered in 30 seconds out of a total 24,607 answered calls.

In August 2,393 fewer calls were abandoned due to delays in answering calls than in July. Out of a total of 24,258 answered calls in the same month, 16,784 were answered within 30 seconds.

Chief Constable Debbie Simpson said: “I am pleased that the measures announced four weeks ago have already contributed to an improved service to the public.

“This achievement is as a result of both the ongoing changes and the force’s call-handling staff, who have worked tirelessly over one of the busiest periods of the year to ensure that over 25,000 calls were answered within an average of 50 seconds.

“Of course, we are not complacent and I will continue to monitor our performance in this area to ensure that standards remain as high as possible.”

To contact Dorset Police in an emergency dial 999.