Police are investigating why an emergency 111 call failed to raise help, even though officers were patroling near by.

A Northern Police Communications centre operator is being questioned after women at an Auckland safe house were terrorised by a knife wielding man.

Emergency 111 calls were made but police did not answer them.

Police now admit patrols were in the area and were available when the calls for help were made.

Initially, police said a lack of staff was why no one was sent to the scene.

However today, a police spokesperson said human error was to blame.

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