THE controversy comes at a time when questions have been raised about the ability of Swindon police to patrol the streets after dark.

The force has received complaints from the public about poor response to incidents, especially at night.

Mark Ryder, 41, of Inglesham Road, Cricklade, called police after seeing a distressed girl sitting on the kerb at Cricklade Road at around 10.25pm, but said it took officers an hour to arrive at the scene.

Police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said the force declined to reveal how many police patrol cars might be on the streets of the town at any given time. But she added: "There are times when police resources are stretched and the degree of urgency relating to the response of any incident has to be prioritised on available information.

"In this incident we did not have any other calls and there was no indication to suggest that the young female required immediate assistance.

"The caller's actions are commendable because he rightly reported what he saw to us. I would like to reassure the public that top priority incidents always receive prompt response from officers."