CLAIRE Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, has raised concerns about locals getting through to the police 101 helpline after it was revealed that more than 200 calls a day to the non-emergency phone number were not answered over the last year.

She said that in the year since the tragic death of Lamara Bell and John Yuill after Police Scotland’s failure to respond to their call, 77,670 calls to the 101 number were abandoned.

The Scottish Labour MSP from Kelty, has warned that the police face a loss of public confidence in the 101 system if calls continue to go unanswered.

Ms Baker has a long running campaign against anti-social behaviour in the region and claims that a regular complaint from constituents throughout Mid Scotland and Fife is their inability to get through to the Police and have their complaint taken seriously.

Commenting on the figures, Claire Baker MSP said: “With officer numbers at their lowest level since 2010 and civilian staff bearing the brunt of police cuts it will come as no surprise to those that have attempted to phone 101 that calls go unanswered.

“Throughout my time campaigning against anti-social behaviour in Mid Scotland and Fife, particularly regarding the dangerous use of quad-bikes, I have spoken to many constituents who have complained about the 101 service.

“Complaints include not getting an answer, delays in eventually getting through to an operator, feeling that their complaint is not being taken seriously enough and a lack of local knowledge from the helpline."

Ms Baker added: “Everyone wants to feel safe in their own community. Yet when that safety is challenged it is vital that the public have the confidence in their local police to respond. That confidence is being lost.#

“Over 77,000 abandoned calls is simply unacceptable and urgent answers are needed from both Police Scotland and the SNP Government. A year on from the tragic case of Lamara Bell and John Yuill it is unacceptable that there are still concerns over 101 calls.”