‘101’ was today confirmed as the new single non-emergency number for the public to secure advice and action on community safety and anti-social behaviour issues. The service is designed to improve the delivery of non-emergency services by ensuring a better co-ordinated response by local agencies, while freeing up the 999 service to handle emergency incidents.

Local MP Lynne Jones welcomed the move: “I am delighted that the non-emergency number service will be going ahead.  I raised the need for such a number with the Home Office back in 2002 after a constituent wrote to me proposing a memorable number such as 888.  I know that a lot of behind the scenes work is going on to ensure that the scheme will work and I am very pleased that following a pilot project and a consultation we will be getting the ‘101’ number across England and Wales by 2008.

 

The service will make it much easier for people to report problems such as graffiti, abandoned vehicles, fly tipping and other anti social behaviour without tying up the 999 lines.   Whilst each call will cost 10p, for most people a fixed cost of 10p per call from landlines and mobile phones will be cheaper than a call to existing police and local authority non-emergency services.  I also understand that the Government will review the tariff once the service is in operation with the aim of making it free to call 101.”

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Notes to editors:

Ofcom today confirmed that, in response to a specific Home Office request, the telephone number '101' will be made available as a single non-emergency number in the UK.

As part of the Home Office's wider police reform proposals, this service would enable the public to report criminal or anti-social behaviour in situations which are not considered to be an emergency.

(Source: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2006/03/nr_20060308 )

The core service will cover:
* Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property;
* Noisy neighbours;
* Intimidation and harassment;
* Abandoned vehicles;
* Rubbish and litter, including fly tipping;
* People being drunk or rowdy in public places;
* Drug related anti-social behaviour and
* Street lighting.