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New non-emergency telephone number launched today

A new non-emergency telephone for people to report anti-social behaviour will be launched today. The new 101 number is being piloted by Northumbria Police in partnership with the 12 local councils across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. The number, which is designed to free up the 999 service to handle emergency incidents, can be used to report a wide range of problem-behaviour, including vandalism and graffiti, fly-tipping, noisy neighbours and harassment. People will be given information on when they can expect a response to their call and who will be carrying out the work if it is a 101 service. However, if it is not, they will also be given contact details of the right organisation which can help them. The calls will be charged at a maximum of 10p regardless of how long the caller is on the line. The charge is expected to help deter bogus callers.Northumbria is one of five areas across England and Wales to trial the new non-emergency number, alongside Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Sheffield, Cardiff, Leicester City and Rutland. Northumbria is using existing contact centres and staff to deliver the service from three separate centres in Sunderland, Newcastle and Police HQ in Ponteland.Northumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable Greg Vant said: “The new 101 system will focus on delivering a high quality service in response to the community safety and anti-social behaviour issues that people have told us they are most concerned about. At present, people are often unsure who they should contact about these matters and, therefore, call 999 when an emergency response is not needed. “It should be made clear that this new service will not replace 999 and we do not expect people to make a decision on whether an incident that relates to a 101 service is an emergency or not. If people ring 101 when a more urgent response is needed, the call handlers can put them straight through to the 999 service.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .