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101 the new police non-emergency number launches in Cheshire. |
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Cheshire Police, together with Merseyside Police and Greater Manchester Police, switches over to using the new national non-emergency telephone number − 101.
The introduction of 101 is part of a national programme to make it easier for members of the public to contact police in a non-emergency, where an immediate police response is not required. From 23.11.2011, 101 will replace the force’s current non-emergency number 0845 458 0000. |
Assistant Chief Constable Janette McCormick said:
"The introduction of 101 provides a simple, memorable number for the public to use. We believe the introduction of 101 will divert some calls away from the emergency 999 system. We know that 69% of calls last year that came in via the 999 system did not require a grade one response which requires attendance at the location within 15 minutes of receiving the call.
"When a member of the public dials 101 in Cheshire they will hear a recorded message which will welcome them to 101. They will then hear a message that informs them they are being connected to Cheshire Police. Next they will be offered the alterative of being connected to one of our neighbouring Forces, GMP, Merseyside, Staffordshire or North Wales. If they do not require any of these forces, the message offers the option to press hash and to be connected to an operator who can put you through to which ever Force you need."
Calls to 101 will not change the way in which we respond to non-emergency calls, they will continue to be managed by officers and staff who work in the call handling centre for Cheshire Police.
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.
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.
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Jane Thirsk
Watch Officer
Office: 01606 362725
Wilmslow Neighbourhood Policing Team 0845 458 6374
Knutsford Neighbourhood Policing Team 0845 458 6380
Macclesfield Neighbourhood Policing Team 0845 458 6371