Durham Constabulary’s non-emergency phone number – 101 – will be the only number to call as from today.
The new national non-emergency number 101 went live in Durham in December 2011. It automatically connects callers to their nearest force, but includes options for four other neighbouring forces.
The aim is to have a single non-emergency number for the police which is easy to remember and has a fast response.
Durham’s previous 0845 number, which was changed to 0345, will be switched off from today and any callers will receive a message advising them to hang up and ring 101.
Although the 0345 number will still operate for the time being, callers will receive a message advising them to use 101.
Chief Superintendent John Bell, head of Durham Constabulary’s Response Command, said: “101 is already proving popular for providing people with quick, direct access to their nearest police force.
“Our response times remain high and we want this to continue, so the more people who use 101 the better. Using 101 will enable us to continue to provide an effective policing service to the people of County Durham and Darlington.”
In addition to 101, a new SMS text service is going live. People can text 86101 for advice, information, to report minor crime and ask to be contacted by an officer. The text will generate an automatic response and the information will be passed to the communications centre for action.
And, for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, an emergency 999 SMS service has been set up which acts as a three way conference call between the caller, the police and a call centre facilitator. This is a much easier system that the Minicom number, although that will stay live. To use this service, people are asked to register their phones firstly. They can access this service via: www.emergencysms.org.uk
101 is for non-emergency calls only – people should still dial 999 in an emergency.
Durham Constabulary is committed to inspiring confidence in local communities by protecting neighbourhoods, tackling criminals and solving problems – around the clock.