What is 101?
101 is a new national non-emergency phone number that the public can use to contact their local police. 101 is designed to be a memorable number that the public can use to report crime or anti-social behaviour that does not require an emergency response, such as:
- A car has been stolen
- Property has been damaged
- Drug dealing / use is suspected
- To report a minor traffic collision
- To provide information about a crime
101 has been operating successfully for a number of years in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sheffield and Wales.
How will it work?
When a member of the public calls 101, the system determines the caller’s location and connects them to the relevant police force. The caller will hear a recorded message announcing which force they are being connected to. If a caller is on a boundary between two or more forces, they will be given a choice of forces to be connected to. Call handlers in that force control room will then answer the calls and respond appropriately.
How much does it cost to call?
Calls to the 101 non-emergency number cost 15 pence for the entire call, no matter how long the call or what time of day it is. This applies to both landlines and mobile phones.
What does this mean for the police?
101 will not change the job the police do but it will change how the public get in touch. It will make the service more accessible and it could potentially reduce pressure on the 999 system, allowing the police to respond efficiently to the most urgent calls for help. The general switchboard number 0300 333 3000 will be kept for callers wishing to contact a specific person or department.
