101 – New Number for Less Urgent Calls
A new telephone call service is being launched in Leicester City and Rutland, being one of the first five areas to offer this. The new ‘101’ call number is to deal with non-urgent crime, and to offer advice and action on anti-social behaviour and related issues.
In 2004, a huge ten million calls were made to the Police, but it is estimated that 70% were not urgent or genuine emergencies. This new service aims to relieve the emergency 999 number of the non-urgent calls and will be available seven days a week and 24 hours a day, by the Police and local councils. Apart from being supported locally, the new scheme has other benefits, such as: the public having better access to non-emergency action and advice, improved services, increased confidence in public services and improvements to the emergency 999 service. The new phone line can also be used by those that speak a different first language.
Eventually, the new service hopes to branch out into members of the general public being able to allow text and e-mail contact and access.
101 can be used to seek advice about:
• Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property
• Noisy neighbours
• Threatening and abusive behaviour
• Abandoned vehicles
• Rubbish and litter, including fly tipping
• People being drunk or rowdy in public places
• Drug-related anti-social behaviour and,
• Problems with street lighting
101 is not a replacement for 999 and is recommended that if you are a victim or witness a serious crime taking place then 999 should be called immediately.
Calls to the service cost 10p, but for more information, take a look at the website at www.101.gov.uk
