POLICE chiefs say the time people spend waiting on a non-emergency call has been cut.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne had criticised the response times for those dialling 101 across the county.

The non-emergency line is used to report information and provide support for people who may have been victims of crime.

But The Argus has reported some people’s concerns that they are left on hold for as long as an hour.

It led many to simply give up and put the phone down.

Previously Mrs Bourne said there would be investment in the force’s telephone call centre to cut the waiting times.

A further 16 staff are being recruited, while an option for the staff to call people back is being trialled.

At a performance and accountability meeting, Mrs Bourne asked Deputy Chief Constable Jo Shiner and Surrey and Sussex Assistant Chief Constable Dave Miller about waiting times.

Mr Miller said the average waiting time has been cut from 12 minutes to eight minutes in recent months.

Similarly, the number of people who abandon their call and hang up has gone down.

He said: “People are quite right to be frustrated at having to wait.

“But from the data we are seeing improved waiting times and a reduced abandonment rate.”