A million-pound cash injection to Thames Valley Police's telephone-handling system could mean that almost everybody who calls will get through within 20 seconds.

But cuts to the force's clampdown on street robbery are on the cards as the police authority strives to keep the increase in its share of the council tax precept below Government capping levels.

The force is to employ an extra 49 staff at its two Police Enquiry Centres (PECs) in a bid to meet a target of 90 per cent of non-emergency calls answered within 20 seconds.

The target for 999 calls is to answer 90 per cent within 10 seconds. Thames Valley is achieving 88 per cent.

The target has been set in anticipation of the Government imposing national standards, amid Home Office frustration that police are "failing to get their act together" when it comes to answering calls.

Thames Valley has faced criticism in the past from residents unable to get through. It is the only force to have set such demanding targets.

It will have to make significant improvements.

Between April and December 18, only 51 per cent of calls were answered within 20 seconds, compared to 56 per cent during the same period in 2003.

But police say there has been a big increase in contact from the public thanks to the introduction of a single non-emergency number, 08458 505505. The number of calls has risen from about 19,000 a week nine months ago to 25,000.

The force is also to introduce computer modelling software to plan staff shifts based upon anticipated demand at different times.

Police authority member Peter Rickaby was doubtful that more cash would bring improvements, saying it was an area that had "resolutely refused to respond to investment".

But Chief Constable Peter Neyroud said recent changes to call-handling had resulted in a "fantastic increase" in the accessibility of services.

There are about 100 call-handlers at Kidlington and 60 in Windsor.

They operate in tandem with control rooms in Abingdon and Milton Keynes.

Other priorities in Thames Valley Police's 2005-6 budget are maintaining the force at 4,117 officers, the highest in its history, and recruiting an additional 40 police community support officers (PCSOs).

The police say they need to increase their share of council tax by 5.6 per cent, but Nick Raynsford, Minister for Local Government and the Regions, has warned a council tax rise of five per cent or more could result in capping.

The police authority was told the force could make savings through cuts to its street crime plan. Officers targeting robbers would no longer work overtime.

A decision will be taken on Friday, February 11.