Ref. 73201-20A YEAR long experiment to equip the police with mobile phones in Highworth has descended into chaos, according to residents.

In January the answering machine at Highworth Police Station was removed and officers were given mobile phones as part of a team phone project.

At the same time all calls to Highworth Police Station were diverted to Wiltshire's central call handling centre at Devizes.

Now members of the High-worth Town Council say it has become virtually impossible for residents to speak to a police officer when they need one.

Councillor Chris Basker-ville also represents High-worth on the Swindon Police Consultative Committee.

He said: "I have phoned the police 20 times since this team phone was introduced and on not one occasion have I been able to speak to anybody.

"I have needed to speak to the sergeant on a number of occasions about concerns I have had and I have also tried to speak to regular officers.

"But I just can't get through to them.

"I don't think that the call handlers at Devizes know how Team Phone works.

"When you phone, nine times out of ten you don't get through to the officers.

"The phones either don't get answered or there's no connection on the line.

"Before, your call went to Highworth Police station and you either got to speak to someone or you left a message it was that simple and people used to get back to you with no problems.

"We have asked for the answerphone to be put back.

"But the answer we got was that it would be going backwards, despite the fact that it would work.

"People now are giving up and saying what's the point of phoning the police if you can't get through?"

Town councillor Ken Poulton said: "This is still a trial and the police have said they will continue it.

"Eventually what will happen is that people will start calling 999 again."

But Highworth's community beat officer PC Bob Boats-wain thinks that Team Phone does work.

"People's frustration is that they are being answered by Devizes and they don't understand why they are not being answered by Highworth police station when they are only ringing from down the road.

"There could be a place for an answer phone to be put back but you are never going to please everybody.

"As soon as the messages are left we do answer them.

"From the outset we received training in how to use the phones and training is passed down to officers who are posted here."

Diana Milne