More than 5,000 total 999 calls received over festive period

We received more than 5,000 total 999 calls throughout the Christmas 2022 and 2023 New Year period.

From Friday 23 December 2022 to Tuesday 3 January 2023, a total of 5,438 calls were made to our 999 service. 
 
Despite this high level of demand, the average wait time for people calling 999 was 8.87 seconds and 91 percent of calls were answered in under 10 seconds. 
 
Meanwhile, during the same period, a total of 4,953 non-emergency ‘101’ calls were received and answered in an average of 83 seconds.
 
Most recently, on New Year’s eve, a total of 725 emergency calls were received.
 
Alongside these often challenging and complex emergency calls, Force Control Contact Officers also responded to hundreds of submitted online forms and social media messages.
 
At the same time, a team of Dispatch Officers worked to allocate responders from one incident to another in order to prioritise the most critical incidents.
 
Head of Contact Command and Control, Superintendent Paul Talbot, said: “Christmas and the New Year period is always a very busy time for the emergency services. 
 
“As this was the first time in three years that the public had been able to celebrate the festive season without any covid-19 related restrictions, we expected to see a high-number of calls.

"Thankfully due to the passion and dedication of Control Room colleagues we were able to manage the demand and maintain our service, despite constant pressures on our resources.
 
“Our teams work extremely hard to ensure that those who need help quickly receive it.  
 
“However, it’s really important that the public do what they can to help us help others as much as possible. 
 
“Our 999 calls will always take priority, as the public would expect. 
 
“During times of increased demand, those who are calling 999 to report non-emergencies may consider using other ways to get in touch.
 
“Our dedicated online reporting section on our website can be accessed for non-emergencies at a time that is convenient for you  - and your report will be treated in the same way as a 101 call.
 
“Please also consider whether your call is more appropriate for another agency or service that is not the police.”
 
To report a crime in your area, visit: Report | Staffordshire Police