The new non emergency 101 police number is now active in Cheshire. There has been some confusion regarding when people should dial 101 and when people should dial the emergency 999 number. The 101 number should be used to report crimes that don′t require urgent assistance from the police. The purpose of 101 is to enable emergency calls to be processed more efficiently.
The non emergency number has changed but the emergency number is still 999. 101 should be used to report less urgent crime or disorder, used for general enquiries and to arrange to speak to a local officer.
When someone dials 101, the system automatically locates the area for that person and connects them to the relevant police force. A recorded message informs the caller which force they are being connected to, if they live on a boundary with numerous forces a choice is given of which one to be connected to.
The crimes that people should be reporting on 101 include the theft of a car, damaged property, minor traffic incidents, to report someone involved in drug use or dealing or to give police information about a crime in their area.
When a crime is in progress always call 999. It is also important to dial 999 not 101 when there is danger to a person′s life, or violent conduct is being carried out or threatened.
Cheshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Janette McCormick says:
"The 101 non-emergency number is a really easy number for the public to use to contact us about non-urgent issues. Please remember however in the event of an emergency always use the 999 number."
ACC McCormick added:
"It is important that people use the 101 number. Over the coming months we need to ensure the 40,000 people who call us per month who do not require an emergency response stop calling on the 0845 number and use 101 instead. It is a much easier number to remember and costs 15 pence from any landline or mobile at any time of day or night
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