MAIL readers have given their views after 90,000 calls to the police’s 101 number were abandoned last year. Data obtained through freedom of information laws by The Mail showed tens of thousands of people had called the non-emergency line only to hang up before getting the chance to speak to an operator. In 2018, around 86,000 calls to the number were abandoned, a drop from more than 100,000 the previous year.

Barbara Stewart said: “I was on the phone for an hour waiting so I emailed them and I got a call back the next morning.”

Ian Bird said: “If you live anywhere in Furness it is quicker to get into the car and drive to Barrow Police Station. A dreadful service.”

Allan Fleming said: “Couldn’t get through to police, crisis team or social services the other night, with regards to a vulnerable young lady the other night. I hope she is okay.”

Allen Rodgers said: “Not enough police on the streets but they can spend £8.5m on a new HQ in Barrow when the old police station was only about 60 years old. The commissioners salary and expenses would pay for quite a few more constables.”

David Moncrief said: “I saw three abandoned hand bags on the car park by the courts... Tried about 10 times to get through on 101 and on hold for ages so in the end rang 999 to be told I will be arrested if I rang that number again to report such a crime and wasting police time.”

Scott Barrow said: “Used the 101 online service for quicker response well so it so it says, yet still waiting for a reply months later.”

Lee Heseltine said: “The force is not fit for purpose due to cuts...”

Matt Holliday said: “Peter McCall needs to justify the police tax increase he pushed for with a made up public consultation nobody knew about now then...”

Micky Jerry said: “The main reason why people hang up on 101 is because they want to know more about you than what is actually going on...”