Non-emergency 101 police number goes live

A new phone number has been created in Scotland for non-urgent calls to the police.

The public can now dial 101 to report relatively minor crimes, such as vandalism, or to pass on information about suspected drug use.

It is aimed at reducing pressure on the 999 system.

Callers are automatically routed by the system to their nearest police centre even if they are ringing from a mobile phone.

As well as reporting crimes, the number can be used to gain advice or to speak to a local officer.

All 101 calls are charged at a flat rate of 15p whether from a landline or mobile phone.

The police say the service is designed to take pressure off the 999 system and to make officers more accessible to communities.