A CALLER trying to report a series of crimes has hit out at North Yorkshire Police, claiming they failed to pick up the phone.

Robert Milsom, 47, from Tadcaster Road, York, says he made a string of unanswered calls to the police.

Police today apologised to him for his experience, but stressed they did usually answer calls promptly.

Mr Milsom said that on one occasion when he telephoned York Police Station to report offences in a York car park, he was left waiting for a full five minutes before he hung up.

He claims the story was repeated when he tried to contact North Yorkshire Police headquarters in Northallerton. "I just let it ring, and ring, and ring, and nobody came.

"This was at three o'clock on a Tuesday afternoon in April. Just imagine what a Friday night in December would be like," he said. After giving up again after three minutes, Mr Milsom gave it one last go, this time getting through to a call centre which finally managed to direct him to police officers.

He explained his problem - firstly, that he wanted to report a crime, and secondly his lengthy wait - but he says he received little response. After being directed through three separate departments he finally spoke to a communications officer.

"He listened to what I had to say, but I felt he just fobbed me off. I really do feel that this kind of service really is just unacceptable," said Mr Milsom.

The problems of unanswered calls has been plaguing the force for several years, with new systems being blamed for the last three years.

After the latest criticism police spokesman said: "Clearly sometimes depending on the number of calls it can take a period of time for calls to be answered.

"I can only apologise for the wait this gentleman has experienced, but we do answer the majority of calls within 20 seconds, and many within ten."

Updated: 08:27 Monday, April 07, 2003