MORE than 96 per cent of 999 calls are answered within 10 seconds, according to the county s police force. Answering 999 calls as quickly as possible is part of the force s pledge to the public.Officers also pledge to get to emergencies in urban areas wi

MORE than 96 per cent of 999 calls are answered within 10 seconds, according to the county's police force.

Answering 999 calls as quickly as possible is part of the force's pledge to the public.

Officers also pledge to get to emergencies in urban areas within 15 minutes, and in rural areas, 20 minutes.

Force Control Room Manager Ed Essad said: "The control room staff are committed to providing the public of Cambridgeshire with a high quality service."

Between April 1, 2007 and March 31 2008 the number of 999 calls was 142,806. This increased to 144,295 between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009.

If a call is an emergency it is transferred to the control room at Hinchingbrooke police headquarters.

For less urgent incidents, a new appointments system has been introduced where callers can book a slot with an officer.

Typically, officers will visit victims of shopliftings, thefts and burglaries and will take statements, organise forensic teams and carry out all the initial enquiries.

Inspector Rich Sinclair said: "If it's a non-urgent 'A grade' incident then we are able to use the appointments system to arrange a time for officers to see the caller.

"This is about improving out service to the people of Cambridgeshire.