POLICE are getting quicker at answering non-urgent calls.

Dorset Police say response times to answering calls on the 101 service have improved.

A review of the service was announced in August after Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill received complaints.

The force encountered problems answering non-emergency calls promptly due to delays in new recruits starting and the roll-out of new technology.

Average response times to answering 101 calls were over a minute but that has come down to an average of 37 seconds.

Head of contact services Jane Jennings said: “We are pleased to announce response times to the non-emergency 101 service have improved in Dorset in recent months and this reinforces our commitment to improving contact with our communities. No matter where you are in England and Wales, if you need to contact the police for a non-urgent issue simply dial 101.

“The 101 number is easy to remember and I would like to remind members of the public that this is the number to call if they would like to get in touch with officers from their Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

“As ever, in an emergency where life is in danger or a crime is in progress you should always dial 999.”