Vince Cable

The borough's police have reached a short term target of 40% of calls answered within 30 seconds and are now trying to raise the figure to 50%. The Metropolitan Police average is 37% and Richmond is now one of the best 25% for response times. A new control system comes into effect in 2007 and, when this happens, there will be a radical improvement.

MP Vincent Cable said: "it is clear that the borough police are making a big effort to improve what is currently a big weakness. At present, people reporting crime on a non-emergency basis, not requiring a 999 call, tell me that they find it very difficult to get hold of the police. As a consequence, a lot of low-level, neighbourhood, crime and anti-social behaviour go unreported and we get a deceptively positive view about crime levels".

"My impression is that, in many respects, the police are becoming more professional and effective. But their communications - from telephones to the off-putting desk in the police station - are poor. I therefore welcome the effort now being put in to improve them".