GORDON BROWN yesterday urged Merseyside police to respond faster to non-emergencies – to reduce the "fear of crime", as well as crime itself.

In a key law and order speech, the Prime Minister said there were no excuses for failing to achieve a pledge to answer every concern raised with neighbourhood policing teams within 24 hours.

Yet, the most recent inspectors' reports reveal that neither Merseyside nor Cheshire forces achieved the target, which came into force in December, 2008.

The efforts of both were described as "fair", which is defined as: "Where performance is variable and falls short of the required standard. Remedial action is needed."

However, the Merseyside force performed better on two other "policing pledges" highlighted by Mr Brown; ensuring neighbourhood officers spend 80% of their time on the beat and holding monthly beat meetings to discuss priorities.

In both cases, it achieved a "good", in the October report, published by HM Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC), defined as: "Meeting the standard, although there may be minor dips in performance."

In contrast, Cheshire fell down on all three pledges – being marked as "fair" for all of them.

Mr Brown said: "The public now know what kind of service they can expect from the police and have a greater say than ever before over policing in their area. Everyone now has a clear right to see their neighbourhood policing team spending 80% of their time on the beat, a right to a response to all non-emergency issues within 24 hours and a right to a monthly beat meeting.