Hampshire police have been given an extra £500,000 to help pay for more staff to handle calls coming through on a dedicated antisocial behaviour line.

Despite the future of the 101 service hanging in the balance after the Home Office halted plans to roll out the scheme nationwide, the extra money has been granted to Hampshire - one of the five forces piloting the scheme.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Readhead, pictured, told members of Hampshire Police Authority how, at a meeting with government officials, a firm decision had not yet been made on whether the service would continue following a review of its performance.

He said: "We secured half a million pounds of additional funding to the end of 2007 to employ more staff.

"It is taking us longer to assess and handle the calls than originally expected."

He added that there was no clear indication what the Home Office was planning long-term with regard to 101.

"They want to take more time to make sure that the next wave is rolled out to meet continued satisfaction," he added.

Exit strategy However, Mr Readhead said that in the eventuality of the project being withdrawn an "exit strategy" was being put together by the force.

"If you have something in place and then you take that away you have to look at how you manage that."

Members at the meeting voiced their concern at the scheme, saying the government had underestimated the take up of the calls being made and as a result the public were being let down as their expectations were not being met.