Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner has praised Cleveland Police for being among the best in the country for answering 999 calls.
New figures released today by the Home Office show that Cleveland’s control room was seventh fastest to answer 999 calls between November 2021 and April 2022.
The average time to answer a 999 call in Cleveland was just 8.5 seconds, with 80 per cent of 999 calls being answered in under 10 seconds.
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said: “I am satisfied that Cleveland Police’s control room is making great strides in improving how quickly it answers 999 emergency calls.
“It’s worth noting that these improvements come despite a rise in the overall number of calls in the past year, with demand now exceeding pre-pandemic levels.”
Steve has consistently scrutinised how Cleveland Police answer initial calls since his election last year. The topic has featured featuring twice during monthly scrutiny meetings with the force’s senior leaders.
It is now anticipated that Steve will scrutinise control room performance at least once per year, to monitor the force’s ongoing programme of improvements.
Steve said: “When someone picks up the phone to contact Cleveland Police, they may be experiencing one of the most harrowing moments of their life.
“That’s why it’s so crucial that the force provides a swift answering service and why I’ve been so persistent about putting this area of business under the microscope.
“These figures are certainly to be celebrated and I’ll be closely monitoring to ensure that the force continue to work towards the national target of answering 90% of 999 calls within 10 seconds.”
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) is currently running a nationwide survey on the public’s experience and understanding of contacting the police.
It’s asking the public to share their experiences of 999 and 101 calls as well as asking how they would like to contact their local force in future – with particular reference to new and emerging technologies.
The survey will help inform Steve any challenges around reporting to Cleveland Police and will help to form plans around running service in the future.
The survey closes on Sunday 26 June.
Have your say on using 999 or 101 to contact Cleveland Police