Report shows ‘Significant improvements’ in how fast Cambridgeshire Constabulary answers calls and attends incidents
Cambridgeshire Constabulary is answering calls more quickly and attending incidents more rapidly, a government inspectorate has found.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) noted the progress after initially raising both aspects as ‘causes of concern’ several years ago.
A 2023–25 police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy inspection of Cambridgeshire Constabulary carried out by HMICFRS revealed the force was not performing to required standards when it came to:
How quickly the constabulary answers emergency and non emergency calls; and,
How quickly it attends incidents.
However, a follow-up inspection in June, 2026 showed the force had made substantial and sustained improvements across a number of key areas, including a more proactive response culture and significant improvements in both call handling and response times.
Chief Constable Simon Megicks said: "We welcome HMICFRS's decision to close these causes of concern and are pleased that the significant progress made by our officers, staff and volunteers has been recognised.”
HMICFRS found that 92.6 per cent of emergency calls were answered within 10 seconds in the year ending 31 March, 2026. This represents a significant improvement on the 71.2 per cent of emergency calls being answered within 10 seconds recorded in September, 2023.
The re-inspection also showed that the number of 101 callers who abandoned their calls had reduced to 12.9 per cent, another improvement when compared to the 32 per cent noted in the year ending September, 2023
In addition, the inspectorate noted that the force is now working to a 15-minute attendance target. In the year ending 31 March 2026, 59 percent of immediate incidents were met within this time frame, whereas the previous inspection showed just 23 out of 46 cases examined met the required attendance time.
In concluding its report, HMICFRS said:
“Overall, Cambridgeshire Constabulary has made clear and sustained progress in addressing the causes of concern.
“However, the constabulary recognises that it needs to do more to make sure these improvements are consistent and sustained.”
The force acknowledged that it needs to continue its improvement programme, focusing on further reducing non-emergency call abandonment rates, improving attendance at emergency incidents and ensuring performance improvements remain consistent and sustainable over the long term.