CONCERNS have been raised over the level of staffing of 101 call handlers.

Coun Dorothy Lord, who represents the Waterside ward on Pendle Council, said residents were worried about how long they were having to wait before their calls were answered.

She said the problem was damaging people’s confidence in the police, particularly when public enquiry desks throughout the borough were closing.

The councillor is due to bring up the issue at the next Pendle Council meeting at Nelson Town Hall on Thursday.

Coun Lord said: “The issue is that, most of the time, we cannot get through on the 101 number.

“I had to ring it because there was a man who was drunk and sat in the middle of the pavement.

“I rang the number and nobody answered so I went across to the police station which was shut.”

She said the problem would mean that more and more people would be forced into calling 999 even when the issue is not an emergency.

Coun Lord added: “What else can you do?

“I would like more staff to answer the calls.

“If you cannot get through, it has a knock on effect. In my case, it did because we had to leave that man sat in the middle of our lovely town for visitors to see.

“The police and crime commissioner needs to look very, very closely at this.”

Lancashire Police has already made £60million of cuts and is trying to decide where even deeper savings can be made.

Over the next few years, it must reduce its budget by a further £20million.

Chief Superintendent Chris Bithell has warned that people may see changes in neighbourhood policing.