With Dorset Police seeing an increase in 999 calls rising by 23 per cent, calls to 101 going up 12 per cent and 17 per cent more incidents in a typical day, they are asking people to consider whether their enquiry could be best resolved by another agency.

Superintendent Pete Browning, head of contact management for Dorset Police, said: “We’re currently seeing a significant volume of demand coming into the force and, as a result, the waiting time for calls to be answered and digital enquiries to be processed has increased. I would like provide reassurance that genuine emergency calls will receive a prompt response.

“Our contact officers review all reports for threat, risk, harm and vulnerability to ensure we are using our resources as effectively as possible and responding to those most in need first.

“We want to remind members of the public that our teams should be treated with courtesy and respect. They are doing their best to help you in very challenging circumstances and we won’t tolerate any abuse towards our hard-working team.”

The force is asking members of the public to only dial 999 in an emergency, if there is a crime in progress or immediate danger to life.

Kieran Baker, non-emergency contact manager for Dorset Police, said: “We’d also ask residents and visitors to consider whether their issue should be handled by Dorset Police and to consider approaching other agencies such as social services, the local authority, fire service or the NHS.

“If you’re calling us about something we can’t help with – such as abandoned cars, lost or found dogs, loud music, rowdy or noisy neighbours or barking dogs, you might be stopping someone who we can help from getting through. All these examples should be reported to the local authority.

“We’re here to help if you need to report an incident or crime to us. All enquiries via our telephone or digital services will be answered as soon as possible.”