Police unveil non-emergency 101 number nationwide (but it’ll cost you 15p to ring)

  • 999 alternative has received 2.5million calls already
  • Introduced as only one in four 999 calls need emergency response

By
Chris Parsons

Last updated at 7:01 PM on 10th January 2012

The non-emergency 101 number for police has been rolled out to all forces across England and Wales as an alternative to 999, ministers said today.

The phone number set up to ease the pressure on 999 call handlers was unveiled as a way for people to report ‘minor’ crimes which do not require an emergency response.

But those who dial the number to report car thefts, criminal damage or minor road accidents will be charged for their trouble, as calling 101 costs 15 pence.

Under pressure: The 101 number has been introduced to ease the pressure on 999 call handlers and as a way to report non-emergency crimes

Under pressure: The 101 number has been introduced to ease the pressure on 999 call handlers and as a way to report non-emergency crimes

Policing Minister Nick Herbert said the move was one of the most significant changes in the way people contact the police since 999 was brought in nearly 70 years ago.

Despite fears the cost of the 101 service would merely see more 999 calls, the new number has already received 2.5 million calls while it has been being phased in.

Only one in four calls to 999 require an emergency response and the new number is expected to ease pressure on 999 call handlers, enabling police to respond to genuine emergencies more effectively.

Minor car accidents are one of the instances in which people are meant to phone 101 rather than 999

Minor car accidents are one of the instances in which people are meant to phone 101 rather than 999

Commander Ian Dyson, of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said: ‘Having just two phone numbers – 101 for reporting a crime that has happened, to get advice or to raise local policing issues – or 999 if it’s an emergency, makes calling the police a lot easier and makes our services more accessible.

‘999 should only be used in an emergency, that is when a crime is happening, when someone suspected of a crime is nearby, or where someone is injured, being threatened or in danger.

‘For all other matters the public should call us on 101.’

101 was first introduced by Labour in 2006 but was abandoned after costing £41million when it had failed to reduce 999 calls.

Two-thirds of calls in pilot areas were marked as ‘not appropriate’ – callers were reported to have asked for details of the ‘next bus to Southampton’ and tourist destinations.

Calls to 101 cost 15p from both mobile phones and landlines, regardless of how long the call is or when it is made.

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
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Sounds like the same separate number ‘non-emergency ‘ set up established in Australia a short while ago in an attempt to stop people calling their local stations to report non-urgent incidents. Instead you get to talk to a call centre thousands of miles away and have someone tell you your concerns are too piddling for them to be bothered with. I called it once last year about a noisy party at 3am. Making the report was harder than signing on for the dole, endless questions (then finally ‘we’re really sort of busy, someone might go out for a look but probably not’). At least I did get a laugh out of it though – the first question I was asked was ‘have you been round to the house to ask them to keep the noise down?’ I said ‘no’ and the second question was ‘why not?’ I said ‘Because it’s 3am, they’re all p*ssed off their heads and I’m not a cop with a gun on my hip and back-up’. The silence on the line for several seconds was priceless.

Are the police going to pay to reprogram all our mobile phones to allow them to call 101 even when the phone is locked? Mobiles will currently allow you to call 999 and 112 when the keypad is locked.

What happens if you phone 101 out of hours? Do you just get a recording suggesting you contact PCSO Direct?

Since Police Forces are private Companies it is only natural that they would seek to maximise their profits. You don’t believe me? Then why don’t you take a look at “Yourstrawman.com’ and find out for yourself? Within fifteen minutes from now you could be looking at the world in an entirely different way – the real way!

– Paul, Warwick, 11/1/2012 0:16 you’re missing the point – using a service ie making a telephone call costs money. The service provider (BT virgin or whoever) is charging you to make a call. I would say that you appear to be DUMB DUMB DUMB

– 999 call handler, UK, 10/1/2012 you’re missing the point about the publics annoyance,… having ANY charge for a call to the police is putting up a BARRIER to people calling …..don’t you get it ? If the police used, say, a free phone number how much more, useful, crime solving intel would they receive ??? Just because historically calls for the 999 service are free but the local police you pay for, DOESN’T MEAN we can’t change the system IMPROVE IT. Why change ? Because today, most people use a mobile phone calls using them cost more, I would say charging for ANY calls to the police is DUMB, DUMB, DUMB ! ….. but living in Britain ……. I know it won’t change, anytime soon.

‘phone either number, just say people are shooting at you. and you have seen weapons held by your attackers. No probs . S019 or DPG will be there straight away. They will pull the trigger on some innocent brazillian. Sorted.

Follow the example set by Tony Blair. In matters of handing money to the State, play Scrooge.

Strange that a police ‘service’ that is always asking the general public for intelligence information to help do it’s job, actually charges at all for ANY call to them. Why is the 999 service a free call (even on a mobile), but calling the local p/station about crimes you’ve witnessed locally, incurs a call charge ? Crime is crime after all , emergency or no. The thing is this, over the last decade most poorer people have got a mobile phone do not have a landline ….. Now I’ve called the local police recently a short call (after going thru the polices switchboard system) can cost a couple of pounds easily, this is clearly a deterrent to calling them. If the police want help from the public to solve crime, then fine, but why is it so difficult for them to understand they need a freephone number on ALL lines,TO HELP WITH THIS. It’s been obvious to me for years.

Call me cynical if you like but lets stop and think a little – if people don’t report crime then the statistics shown a reduction – wow aren’t we doing a good job! What’s the easiest way to stop people reporting crime – Charge them for the privelidge!!

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