New National Police non-emergency number - 101

What you need to know!

Welcome to 101

The introduction of 101 on 17th October 2011, will give the public one easy way to contact Leicestershire Police to report less urgent crime and disorder or to speak to their local officers. It is being introduced as part of the Government's wider work to improve access to the police, ease pressure on 999 and help the police efficiently and effectively tackle crime and disorder.

It is important to note that the 2011 version of the 101 non-emergency number is ‘all new' and does not serve the same purpose as the 101 anti-social behaviour and disorder helpline number launched in Leicester, Harborough and Melton in 2006. This was piloted by a partnership led by the police and Leicester City Council, and closed in December 2007, following the withdrawal of funding from the Home Office.

The new 101 service relates to police non-emergency issues although over time, and subject to local agreement, police forces could choose to work with their local partners to offer access to a broader range of local services.

What you need to know.

101 will offer the public across England and Wales one easy way

to contact their local police force to report non-emergency crimes

and disorder or to speak to their local police officers. 101 provides

the public with a memorable number to report crime and other

concerns that do not require an emergency response. Such as:

• if their car has been stolen;

• if their property has been damaged or vandalised;

• where they suspect drug use or dealing;

• if they want to report a minor traffic collision;

• if they want to provide information about crime

How much does it cost to call?

Calls to the 101 non-emergency number will 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.

How will it work?

When a member of the public calls 101, the system will determine

the caller’s location and connect them to the police force covering

that area. They will hear a recorded message announcing

which police force they are being connected to. If a caller is on a

boundary between two or more forces, the recorded message will

give them a choice of which force to be connected to.

Police call handlers in your force control room will then answer

the calls and respond appropriately. The caller will not be put

through to a large national call centre.

If the incident is recognised as an emergency, the operator or

police call handler will put them through to 999 unless there

is a protocol in place for them to handle 999 calls.