Dorset Police are taking an average of 16.5 minutes to answer non-urgent 101 calls, according to the latest statistics.

Less than 80 per cent of 999 calls are answered within 10 seconds, some way from the 90 per cent target.

Figures being presented to the Police and Crime Panel also show that satisfaction with the force has dipped, from the target 80 per cent to 66 per cent.

In some areas the force is not performing as well as expected, with attendance at the scene of burglaries flagged red as a cause for concern.

In the same category is support for young people, while the figures also show a rise in cases of domestic abuse crimes.

Despite the areas where performance is down, the majority of people who were surveyed said they do feel safe in Dorset with the statistics overall backing the claim that the county is the seventh safest in England and Wales.

Figures put before the Police and Crime Panel show that Dorset Police has overspent £1.2million more than budgeted at the end of September, but compared to its £157.45m annual revenue budget, the sum represents less than one per cent of overall spending. Actions are said to already be underway to get back on track.

The new figures show the impact of the police staff pay award at £700,000, including an undisclosed sum for additional overtime payments.

The report carries a warning, that unless remedial action is successful, the force general fund balance will be down to just under £5million, or 2.86%, at the end of the financial year in April 2023, which would be below the minimum level required for reserve funds.

Among the financial reports was confirmation that the force benefitted financially from officers being called to the capital as part of Operation London Bridge, the period of the Queen's death, mourning and funeral – although the actual income is not shown.

The force is expected to decide its budget for the coming financial year at its February meeting, including the amount it will precept (charge) council taxpayers.

The increase for the current financial year amounted to an additional £10 per year on an average Band D property.