POLICE in Warrington and across Cheshire are getting quicker at responding to 999 calls.
The most recent figures show that almost 90 per cent of Grade 1 incidents were attended by an officer within 15 minutes, compared to 85 per cent a month earlier.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer has applauded the improvement.
He said , said: “Improving public confidence in policing is a key aim of my Police and Crime Plan. I want people to have confidence in contacting the police, so I am extremely pleased with the improving response times in Cheshire.
“The fact that both of these figures are going up simultaneously demonstrates that the Constabulary is using its resources effectively and efficiently, making Cheshire a safer place for those who live, work and visit here. I know the Constabulary is working hard to improve these figures even more.”
Last month, Mr Dwyer raised a number of issues with the Chief Constable and senior officers, including crime recording, solve rates, and recruitment, as well as the service being received by the communities in the county.
He focussed on the waiting times the public faced after calling 000 to report an incident
Police grade these calls, with Grade 1 incidents requiring an officer to attend in 15 minutes and Grade 2 requiring attendance in 60 minutes.
December saw almost 90 per cent of Grade 1 incidents attended in 15 minutes, an increase from 85 percent the previous month. In the same time period, Grade 2 incidents answered within 60 minutes improved to 86 percent, an increase on the previous month.
Mr Dwyer said: “I can’t deliver on the public’s priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plan without a rigorous scrutiny process where I can highlight what the Constabulary is getting right and where improvements are needed.
“Analysing and scrutinising the response times of the Constabulary is one of the ways I can ensure residents have faith that they will get the support they need, when they need it.”
To see the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan, visit www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-i-do/making-cheshire-safer/police-and-crime-plan/
You can read more about the Commissioner’s scrutiny process at www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-i-do/holding-the-chief-constable-to-account/
