New police non-emergency number launches

ACC Ian Hopkins

Greater Manchester Police is today launching a new non-emergency police telephone number – ‘101’.

The introduction of ‘101’ is part of a national programme to make it easier for the public of England and Wales to contact police in a non-emergency, where an immediate police response is not required.

Today, GMP will be joined by neighbouring forces Cheshire and Merseyside in switching to 101. The new number replaces the current GMP non-emergency number 0161 872 5050.

Assistant Chief Constable, Ian Hopkins said: “This is one of the biggest changes in the way people can contact the police since 999 was introduced in the 1940s. Having just two phone numbers – 101 for reporting a crime that has happened, getting advice or raising local policing issues – or 999 if it it’s an emergency, makes calling your local force a lot easier.

“More than three-quarters of calls to 999 are for non-emergency incidents. Having a number that’s easier to remember will not only make police more accessible to our communities, but also reduce the pressure on the 999 system, allowing us to attend the most urgent calls more effectively.”

Calls to 101 will not change the way in which non-emergency calls are responded to as they will continue to be managed by GMP operators.

For the first time there will also be a single flat rate charge of 15 pence, no matter how long the duration of the call is, what time of day it is or whether the call is from a landline or mobile phone.

“GMP offers many ways for the public to get in touch. Neighbourhood Policing remains at the heart of what we do and provides contact locally with officers at neighbourhood meetings and surgeries, arranging appointments and getting in touch by telephone, email or through social networks, concludes Ian Hopkins.”

Operators can put calls through to the relevant force if it is about something that has happened in a different force area.

However, the public are reminded to always call 999 in an emergency, where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress.

The 101 number will be fully introduced across England and Wales by December 2011.