The local police are bringing in a new telephone answering service to ensure that all calls are answered during busy periods.

“The Richmond Police District is committed to providing our community with the highest level of customer service at all times, but unfortunately there have been times when we receive such a high volume of calls and jobs that you might not have been able to get through when you have rung us,” a post on the Richmond PD Facebook page said.

“We’ve listened to your concerns about this and on the 27th August the Richmond Police District will introduce a new telephone system that will improve our service to you and ensure that when you ring your call will be answered.

“What does this mean for you when you need the police? First and foremost, if your call is an emergency then you should call Triple Zero (000) immediately so we can help you as soon as possible.

“For all other instances, nothing will change how we respond when you ring your local police station as your call is always important to us.

“Police are available 24 hours a day, we are a part of your communities and we are here to help you at any time of the day or night.”

Calls will be answered by an automated “Interactive Voice Response” service which will give calls the opportunity to make a general inquiry or report a crime, provide information to help police solve a crime or speak to an officer.

“The system is designed to be simple and easy to use,” the Facebook post said.

“The introduction of this phone system will ensure that calls within the district are attended to in a timely manner, contribute to improving our service to the communities with police and improve our ability to respond to crime in your area.

“It is important to understand that this does not replace Triple Zero (000) in the case of an emergency situation you always ring 000.”