The chief constable says he is building the force "for the future"

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary found that calls were not answered quickly enough and that work was needed to improve relations with the public.

Steve Green, the force's chief constable, said: "I didn't come to win popularity contests... I came to make the organisation perform better and I am satisfied that we are building something that is sustainable for the future."

The inspectorate did say the force was starting to improve and most officers were working hard to make Nottinghamshire a safer place.

'No one available'

Inspectors said local officers sometimes all went on holiday at once, leaving no one to take calls from the public.

"There are still examples of poor service to the public and it's not always clear to residents and businesses who their local officers are or how to contact them," the report said.

If there is a problem then the force must admit it and not look for excuses Norman Brennan Victims of Crime Trust

"They would not expect this from their local bank or school - why should it be any different for the police?

"In some areas the team of local officers all go on leave at the same time for four days.

"Therefore there is no one available to take details of certain types of crime until the officers return form leave."

Norman Brennan, director of the Victims of Crime Trust, said there were no excuses for any force not to deal with crime in its area.

Mr Brennan said: "No police force can make an excuse for not being able to tackle the crime in its force area.

House burglaries

"If there is a problem then the force must admit it and not look for excuses.

Elsewhere, according to the report, the fraud, financial investigation and computer crime unit had no administrative staff, meaning officers were tied up with paperwork.

The hi-tech unit also lacked some basic computer equipment, including a scanner.

It could take up to 48 hours for a scenes of crime officer to arrive at a burglary, the report said.

In 2001-02, only 67% of house burglaries were visited and in car crime only 19% of vehicles were examined, far below the national average.

Nottinghamshire Police will now have monthly meetings with the Police Standards Unit, which was set up by the Home Office last year, to keep an eye on the force's progress.