A FALMOUTH grandmother was left "fuming" after concerns about anti-social behaviour and a man approaching boys in Kimberley Park went unanswered by the 101 non emergency line for a week.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said a recent trip to Kimberley Park with her granddaughter was ruined by louts drinking, smoking drugs and urinating in plain sight of children, in spite of there being toilets nearby.

However, when she tried to contact police using the 101 non-emergency number she was unable to get hold of an operator, and even a trip to Falmouth Police Station proved fruitless.

She said: "A group of real undesirables were drinking cans, smoking stuff. They were peeing against a tree, and my granddaughter saw it.

"There were a couple of older men in the park acting really strange. One was standing quite close to young boys, all over the park."

She told the council her concerns, and was told the group had been moved on before, and it was a police matter, but when she tried to contact officers via 101 she got no response.

She said she walked to the police station and spoke to two police officers who again told her she would have to call 101: "I told him what was going on and he said 'no, we haven't enough officers available' even though I was talking to two. It's absolutely disgusting."

The woman said she had first considered ringing 999, but the group had moved on, and it was only later when other reported the same problems that she decided to contact police.

Mark Williams, Falmouth's town clerk, said the park keeper was aware of issues with anti-social behaviour and had reported them to the town council, and the issue was being dealt with, and he had also contacted police who had agreed to step up patrols in the area.

A police spokesman said: “Two of our officers were approached by a member of the public who reported a disturbance at a local park. Our officers were at that time committed with other matters and given that there was no claims of anyone being in immediate danger, the member of public was invited to use the phone in the station if she wished to report the incident to 101."

He said police call centres receive around a million calls, and at times of high demand for the 999 emergency, call handlers are diverted from the 101 service, causing a delay, and added: "Our priority is always placed on dealing with 999 call and responding to the most critical calls."

The spokesman confirmed that they had received reports of an anti-social behaviour, including underage drinking, and of a man described as in his 60’s, of slim build, 5”8 tall, wearing glasses and a straw hat approaching boys in the park and causing concern.

The matters are being investigated and anyone with information should call 101 or email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk.