Police chiefs have “lost control of many of our towns and cities” as a confidence crisis is engulfing the nation, ministers have been warned.

A shocking poll has revealed almost half of people are not confident officers will turn up and properly investigate a burglary or car theft.

This was even higher among those aged over 65, with 54% saying they would not be confident.

Almost one in ten said they put off calling 999 because they could not rely on the response.

David Spencer, Head of Crime and Justice at Policy Exchange, told the  Daily Express: “The police have lost control of many of our towns and cities.

“Ministers and police chiefs need to understand that this is part of the definition of a failed state. This is not just about more money – this is about policing in a different way and actually sending criminals to prison.

“The endless buck passing by those in charge is pathetic. History will not judge those responsible kindly unless there is a sea change in how our police forces, courts and prisons operate.

“When will they realise? Do they even care?”

The shocking poll, published by the Liberal Democrats, revealed 46% of adults are not confident that the police would turn up and properly investigate if their home was burgled.

And one in two (49%) said that they would not be confident that the police would turn up and properly investigate if they were the victim of a car theft.

Two in five (41%) said they would not be confident if they had experienced an assault in the street.

The polling also revealed that Brits are putting off calling the police even when they should due to a lack of confidence, with 8% saying they didn’t dial 999 despite needing to do so.

Of these, one in four (23%) said it was because they thought the police would take too long to arrive.

Over a third (36%) did not call the police as they thought the police would not have the time or the resources to take the incident seriously.