Police too slow answering phones

The report reveals that, the Met did not answer more than 500,000 calls to 999 in the required 10 seconds. This equates to more than a quarter of the two million emergency calls made a year.

Additionally, the report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary warned crime will rise unless the force tackled "serious" failings in responding to, investigating, and recording offences. 

They commented that, "Until the force improves how it responds to incidents, it will not be able to sustainably reduce crime". A further comment was made that the Met was one of six in "special measures."

Matt Parr, the lead inspector, revealed the Met had failed to log more than 69,000 crimes. He added, "Until the force improves how it responds to incidents and increases the capability and supervision of its investigators, it will not be able to sustainably reduce crime."

The watchdog set a nine-month deadline to speed up its call response times. Only 63.9 per cent of 999 calls were answered within 10 seconds. The national target is 90 per cent target.

Furthermore 36.6 per cent of 101 calls were abandoned, more than three times the 10 per cent target.

The Johnson Partnership

Nottingham Solicitors