New police number hits right buttons

Introduced on November 4, 101 is the new “easy to remember” number to contact the force for all non-emergency incidents and general inquiries which do not require a 999 response.

Senior officers said yesterday the force had received 15,406 calls via the 101 number in the last four weeks. During the same period, 16,700 999 calls were received.

South Yorkshire Police’s head of communications, Supt Adrian Moran, said the new number was a success, adding: “It is pleasing to see that South Yorkshire residents are using the new 101 number to contact South Yorkshire Police for non-emergency issues.

“However, what is more important is that during the last month we have seen a reduction in calls to both 999 and our previous non-emergency number, compared to 2010.

“It is important that our communities know how to contact us and the most appropriate way to contact us to resolve their issue.

“Calls to the 101 number are answered by specially trained staff here in South Yorkshire – residents will not find themselves speaking to someone in another part of the country.

“101 provides the public with an easy to remember number, in addition, every call will cost a flat rate of 15p regardless of whether you are calling from a landline or a mobile phone or how long the call lasts.”

Between November 4 and December 4 this year, 26,815 calls were received on the previous non-emergency number, 0114 220 2020, which is being gradually phased out.

Police stressed the 101 number should be used for calls that are less urgent than 999 and said people should only call 999 in an emergency, for example, when a crime is in progress or life is in danger.