North Yorkshire Police has made improvements to the time it takes to answer 999 calls following a major investment into its York control room.
North Yorkshire Police improves 999 response times North Yorkshire Police has made improvements to the time it takes to answer 999 calls following a major investment into its York control room. According to a report that will be discussed by councillors next week, the number of calls answered within 10 seconds has improved from 74% to 90% over the last year, which means the force is finally meeting a national target set by government. NYP has faced years of criticism over its call answering with a damning report from inspectors in 2022 describing its use of resources as ‘inadequate’ and adding it must speed up the time callers pick up 999 and 101 calls from the public. At the time, the force was well below the national standard with only 42% of 999 calls being answered within 10 seconds. North Yorkshire Police typically deals with more than 10,000 emergency 999 calls a month. Conservative crime commissioner Zoe Metcalfe made improving response times one of her priorities and last year announced a £2.5m investment into the control rooom which included the hiring of an additional 50 people to ease pressure. In December 2023, inspectors praised the force for identitifying concerns regarding response times. Commissioner Metcalfe will face councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s police, fire and crime panel in Northallerton next Monday. In an update ahead of the meeting, she said:
“I was delighted In December 2023 when it was confirmed that the cause of concern which His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) identified during their PEEL (Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy) inspection in October 2022 had been resolved. “The Inspectorate noted that significant steps had been taken in response to the cause of concern being issued; that strengthened governance and an improved understanding of force performance was improving service to the public through delivery of an improved police service. “To see the single cause for concern removed just 12-months on from the initial inspection is a tremendous achievement, and testament to the hard work of both the chief constable and their whole team, and crucially, demonstrated the effectiveness of public oversight. “It is fantastic that the clear improvement plan put in place following the initial inspection last year has led to genuine, embedded, and measurable progress in keeping the public safe and feeling safe.”By Thomas Barrett, Local Democracy Reporter Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

New wine bar to open in Harrogate this weekend
Fat Badger beer club raises £2,000 for Candlelighters
Harrogate cocktail bar named among top 50 in UK
Sunflower Bakery in Harrogate announces closure
Ripon dancing queens scoop multiple awards
Ripon Grammar named double 'parent power' award winners
Appeal following indecent exposure incident in Harrogate
New housing approved despite concerns over flooding and river pollution
Tourism tax would be a 'hammer blow' for hospitality, says Ripon MP
Councillors back plans to make improvements to Ripon Market Place
Harrogate pupils given insight into Donald Trump's White House
Royal recognition for Harrogate care company
Ripon tractor accident survivor appeals for vital blood donations
Spring Water expansion 'wrong choice for Harrogate', say Town Council
Knaresborough school hosts town's first ever laser show
Harrogate venue crowned UK's group exercise gym of the year
Tributes paid to man who 'saved' Allerton Castle
Dacre Banks village shop named national lottery community champions
Ripon wedding boutique wins prestigious regional award
Works get underway for new nursery at Harrogate primary school


