Police taking days to respond to 999 calls as budget cuts bite

Watchdog says fact that funding has fallen by a fifth since 2010 has put forces under stress

Under-pressure police forces are taking days to respond to 999 calls that should be dealt with in an hour, the policing watchdog has said, as they come under "significant stress" from slashed budgets and increased demand.

Almost a quarter of forces in England and Wales are struggling to deal with emergency calls in a timely way, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has said in a report on police effectiveness.