Dorset Police activates 101 number for non-urgent calls
- Published
Police in Dorset have activated a phone number for non-emergency calls.
Members of the public can call 101 to contact the police to report less urgent crime and disorder or to speak to local officers.
The new number has been introduced as part of a national programme to ease pressure on the 999 emergency service.
Chief Superintendent Colin Searle said: "This will make contacting the police to discuss non-urgent issues easier and much more straight forward."
"Always dial 999 in an emergency - when life is in danger or a crime is in progress," he added.
The 101 number will replace the current 01202 or 01305 222 222 non-emergency number in Dorset.
It is expected to also reduce the number of inappropriate 999 calls the force receives.
Calls to the 101 non-emergency number from both landlines and mobile phones will cost 15 pence per call regardless of the time or duration of the call.
All forces in the South West have started using 101, and the number will be standard across the whole of England and Wales by January 2012.