Met 999 call pickup time falling short of target

The Metropolitan Police is falling short on its aim of answering 90% of emergency calls within 10 seconds, a government watchdog has found.

The Met's mid-year review indicated 78% of calls were answered within the time period, compared with 85% in the same six months in 2024.

Last year the force was praised for making a "sustained and significant improvement".

The most recent report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) suggests there is a "positive direction of travel" but it "is not sufficient to achieve the aspiration".

London Assembly member Marina Ahmad, Labour's spokesperson for policing, said investment had "made a real difference" but since the latest figures showed a dip she would "keep a close eye on it to ensure the progress isn't lost".

A Met Police spokesperson told the LDRS they were doing all they could to respond to all 999 calls as quickly as possible.

"This includes enhanced leadership and supervision of staff and changing the way we forecast demand, meaning teams are adequately resourced."

Last month the Met urged the public only to call 999 if there were actual emergencies, suggesting millions of calls had been made which took up valuable call-handler time.

Only 15% of calls to the emergency number were necessary between July 2024 and July 2025, with the rest including someone reporting a spider in their room and another whose dog would not come back into their house.

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