Police non-emergency number, 101 is catching on

Since the launch of the new non-emergency police number, 101, it is catching on and is being used more and more by the residents in Cumbria.

On average, 25% of the non-emergency calls being made to Cumbria Constabulary are via the 101 number since its launch on 13 December 2011.

The new number will eventually replace Cumbria Constabulary’s current non-emergency number, 0845 33 00 247. This number, in time, will be phased out.  All calls for Cumbria are still answered by the same Police staff in the Constabulary’s Communications Centre.

When calling 101, the system will determine the caller’s location and play a recorded message announcing the police force they’re being connected to. Callers will also hear options to select for neighbouring Forces. If callers are on a boundary between two or more forces, the recorded message will give a choice of which force to be connected to.  If a caller wishes to contact a Force not given in these options, then there is a further option to select to speak with an operator who will route the caller to any of the 43 Forces in England and Wales.

Calls to 101 will cost 15p per call, no matter what time of day it is, or how long the call lasts. This means everyone calling the police will know exactly how much a call will cost them, whether they’re calling from a landline or a mobile phone.

Chief Inspector Dawn Allen, from the Constabulary’s Communication Centre, said "It is positive to see that the 101 number is being used and this will go from strength to strength in the up and coming months now that the number is being promoted across the county.

“101 is a easy number to remember for non-emergency calls and unfortunately over the New Year period we did see an increase in the number of non-emergency calls being made to the 999 number.

“I would like to remind people 999 should only be used in cases of emergency, all other calls and enquiries should be made to the 101 where Communications staff will be able to help you.”

Further details about 101 will be published through local posters and advertisements that will appear throughout the county over the up and coming weeks.

Anyone who is unsure is advised to speak to their local police officer who will be able to reassure them. More information is available on the Constabulary’s website at http://www.cumbria.police.uk/news/latest-news/police-launch-101.

To find out more about what is happening in the local community, visit http://www.cumbria.police.uk/cumbriacommunitymessaging