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Devon and Cornwall police officers tasked with call centre work | Devon and Cornwall police officers tasked with call centre work |
(35 minutes later) | |
Police and community support officers are being taken off patrol in Devon and Cornwall to deal with a backlog of call centre work, the BBC has learnt. | Police and community support officers are being taken off patrol in Devon and Cornwall to deal with a backlog of call centre work, the BBC has learnt. |
About 50 officers have been diverted to process reports of crimes filed on the internet and by email. | About 50 officers have been diverted to process reports of crimes filed on the internet and by email. |
The force said "the significant majority were on restricted duties". | The force said "the significant majority were on restricted duties". |
But the BBC has been told some were neighbourhood patrol officers and communities were "noticing fewer police on the beat". | But the BBC has been told some were neighbourhood patrol officers and communities were "noticing fewer police on the beat". |
More on how officers are being taken off patrol, plus more Devon and Cornwall news | |
Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg said earlier this year the 101 service was currently not fit for purpose and had got worse. | Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg said earlier this year the 101 service was currently not fit for purpose and had got worse. |
Devon and Cornwall Police has since encouraged people to use email or an online form to report crimes to cut delays calling the 101 non-urgent number, which has been criticised for long delays. | Devon and Cornwall Police has since encouraged people to use email or an online form to report crimes to cut delays calling the 101 non-urgent number, which has been criticised for long delays. |
In a statement, Devon and Cornwall Police said: "In response to the 101 delays, the force moved around 50 people including officers, PCSOs and other staff to assist the contact centre. | In a statement, Devon and Cornwall Police said: "In response to the 101 delays, the force moved around 50 people including officers, PCSOs and other staff to assist the contact centre. |
"The significant majority of these were on restricted duties therefore were unable to undertake front line duties or their usual job role. | "The significant majority of these were on restricted duties therefore were unable to undertake front line duties or their usual job role. |
"The team have been recording crime information, to release our call handlers to answer 101 and 999 calls. | "The team have been recording crime information, to release our call handlers to answer 101 and 999 calls. |
"This is a short term position and we expect all the staff to be returned to their original roles by Christmas." | "This is a short term position and we expect all the staff to be returned to their original roles by Christmas." |