Cambridgeshire Police Boost 999 Call Response Times in 2026

Key Points

• His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) confirmed that Cambridgeshire Police has made “substantial improvements” in responding to 999 emergency calls and incidents.
• During a reinspection in June 2026, inspectors found that 92.6% of emergency calls were answered within 10 seconds, surpassing the 90% target for forces in England and Wales.
• Between 2023 and 2025, the force had been rated inadequate on public response, with only 80.1% of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds in the year ending 30 June 2023.
• In September 2023, performance dipped further to 71.2% of emergency calls answered within 10 seconds, prompting a “causes of concern” letter from HMICFRS.
• Chief Constable Simon Megicks, who took up the role in September 2025, credited “colleagues across the organisation” for strengthening the control room, governance and performance oversight.
• The report noted improvements in both attendance times and call handling, with response times now closely monitored at constabulary, inspector and sergeant level.
• The proportion of callers abandoning non-emergency 101 calls fell significantly, although further progress is still required in non-emergency call handling.
• Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston said getting call handling right is vital to improving public trust and confidence in the force.
• HMICFRS stated that clear plans are in place to continue progress, even though further improvements are still needed in emergency response times and non-emergency handling.
• Simon Megicks warned that the force is “not complacent” and recognises there is more to do to sustain improvements and reduce wait times for non-emergency callers.

Cambridge (Cambridge Tribune) July 11, 2026 – As reported by the official HMICFRS publication, inspectors have concluded that Cambridgeshire Police has made “substantial improvements” in how quickly it responds to calls and incidents. During a reinspection carried out in June 2026, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said significant progress was made, with 92.6% of emergency calls answered within 10 seconds.

This figure now exceeds the 90% target expected of forces in England and Wales, marking a clear turnaround from earlier performance. The inspectorate emphasised that the force had strengthened its governance arrangements and improved both attendance times and call handling. Response times and performance are now closely monitored at constabulary, inspector and sergeant level, creating a more systematic approach to oversight.

How did Cambridgeshire Police’s performance change between 2023 and 2026?

According to HMICFRS, during its earlier police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy inspection the force was found to be inadequate at responding to the public. In the year ending 30 June 2023, 80.1% of 999 calls were answered within 10 seconds, below the 90% target expected of forces in England and Wales.

Performance dipped further in September 2023, when just 71.2% of emergency calls were answered within that timeframe. Those figures triggered a “causes of concern” letter from HMICFRS in July 2026, highlighting the seriousness of the earlier shortcomings. Since then, the report found that the force had implemented clearer governance and performance structures, which contributed to the improved figures seen in 2026.

What changes has Chief Constable Simon Megicks introduced?

As reported by (journalist name) of (media title), Chief Constable Simon Megicks said: “Colleagues across the organisation have worked tirelessly to strengthen our control room, improve our governance and performance oversight, and officers have ensured we respond more effectively to those who need us most.” Simon Megicks started his role as the Chief Constable for Cambridgeshire Police in September 2025, giving him roughly a year to drive these improvements before the June 2026 reinspection.

Megicks added that, while the force is proud of the progress made, it is “not complacent” and recognises there is more to do to ensure these improvements are sustained. He specifically highlighted the need to continue reducing wait times for non-emergency callers and to improve the response to incidents. These comments suggest that the leadership view the current figures as a milestone rather than a final destination.

How have non-emergency 101 calls been affected?

The HMICFRS report also found that the proportion of callers abandoning non-emergency 101 calls had fallen significantly. This indicates that more people are now able to complete their non-emergency calls rather than giving up due to long wait times or difficulty getting through. However, inspectors said further improvements are still needed in non-emergency call handling, even though the trend is clearly positive.

Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston said: “While recognising increasing demand across our county, getting this right is vital to improving public trust and confidence.” This statement links improved call handling directly to broader confidence in the police, suggesting that the issue is not just operational but also reputational.

What plans are in place for future improvements?

HMICFRS said that while further improvements are still needed in non-emergency call handling and emergency response times, inspectors said clear plans were in place to continue that progress. The inspectorate acknowledged that demand across the county is increasing, which makes sustaining and extending these improvements challenging but essential.

Chief Constable Megicks reinforced this view, stating that the force must continue to reduce wait times for non-emergency callers and improve its response to incidents. The combination of close monitoring at multiple levels and defined improvement plans suggests a structured, long-term approach rather than a one-off fix.

Background of the development

The development stems from a series of assessments conducted by HMICFRS between 2023 and 2025, during which Cambridgeshire Police was found to be inadequate in responding to the public. In the year ending 30 June 2023, only 80.1% of 999 calls were answered within 10 seconds, and in September 2023 the figure fell to 71.2%, both below the 90% target.

These shortcomings led HMICFRS to issue a “causes of concern” letter in July 2026, which flagged the force’s performance as a serious issue requiring urgent attention. The appointment of Simon Megicks as Chief Constable in September 2025 marked a new phase in the force’s approach, with a focus on strengthening the control room, governance and performance oversight. The June 2026 reinspection was the first major test of those changes, and the results showed that the new measures had begun to deliver measurable improvements.

Prediction: How will this development affect Cambridgeshire residents and the wider public?

This development is likely to have a direct impact on Cambridgeshire residents who rely on emergency and non-emergency police services. With 92.6% of 999 calls now answered within 10 seconds, members of the public in urgent situations can expect faster initial contact with a police operator, which may lead to quicker dispatch of officers and potentially better outcomes in emergencies.

For non-emergency callers, the reduction in abandoned 101 calls suggests that more people will be able to report issues such as theft, harassment or community concerns without being forced to give up due to long waits. Over time, improved call handling and response times are expected to strengthen public trust and confidence in Cambridgeshire Police, as noted by Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston. If the force sustains and extends these improvements, the longer-term effect could be a more visible, responsive police service that residents perceive as more reliable and accountable.