WILTSHIRE Constabulary is the second best in the country when it comes to answering 999 calls, a report shows.

And it is third best nationally when it comes to responding to the emergency calls.

It also has sound financial management, despite having the minimum increase in funding in 2003/4, says the assessment by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Inspectors rated the county "excellent" when it comes to reassuring the public by the presence of police officers on the street and in reducing crime.

They marked as "good" tackling volume crime, hate crime, call handling, policing roads, critical incidents, leadership and direction, strategic management, professional standards, race and diversity and criminal justice.

The county received "fair" ratings in four areas tackling cross-border crime, forensic management, performance management and human resource management.

Measures to increase police numbers and introduce community support officers were complimented as was the work with partners and private sector sponsors to provide police points at convenient locations for the public.

The report also notes that that the people of Wiltshire are more confident about safety than some areas of the country and have relatively high levels of satisfaction with policing services.

Bertie Woolnough, chairman of Wiltshire Police Authority, said: "The report shows a good solid performance by the Constabulary.

"It also indicates some areas where performance needs to be improved. I am pleased that measures are already being put in place to secure the necessary improvements in the areas identified."

This is the first time the Inspectorate has awarded rankings of "excellent", "good", "fair" or "poor" for policing.