Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7998804.stm

Police expand 101 non-urgent line

A non-emergency police phone line aimed at easing the pressure on 999 calls is to be rolled out across Wales.

The 101 service has been trialled in Cardiff since 2006, where it responds to low-level incidents such as noise disruption and nuisance behaviour.

Now, the four Welsh police forces are to run the 101 Cymru service.

It is hoped the alternative number will free up the 999 service to deal with more serious incidents but critics say they would prefer more beat officers.

The 101 service is a confidential 24-hour number giving direct access to advice, information and action for community safety matters, including certain non-emergency crime, policing and anti-social behaviour.

The Cardiff number has been run as a joint initiative between the police and councils, and has also dealt with complaints such as fly-tipping, graffiti and vandalism.

A Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) spokesperson said that while the all-Wales 101 number would be run by the four police authorities and forces, they will be "exploring opportunities for future partnership working with local authorities".

When the 101 service was launched in Cardiff, police figures showed only 20% of 999 calls made to South Wales police were classed as emergencies.

The force said that by relieving pressure on the 999 system, it was able to redeploy 25 extra officers to neighbourhood policing in the capital.

However, June Johnson, chair of Bayside Tenants and Residents Association in Splott, Cardiff, said she believed the money spent on 101 could be better used elsewhere.

"I'm not a supporter of 101 and quite a few people on Bayside are not supporters of 101, talking about it in the community. Why spend all that money on that when you could put more police on the beat?" she said.

"I have used 101, mainly to log complaints about anti-social behaviour, which we are told to do.

"But personally, I would prefer to get through to a police station or a police officer directly who knows the area.

"When you ring 101 they classify your emergency into different categories, which can then be dealt with in an hour or days.

"But what might not be urgent to them, can be to someone who is suffering from anti-social behaviour.

"Some people I know haven't had a response at all and other people have had a response to a less urgent matter within an hour. It's madness."

Funding withdrawn

The Home Office initially piloted the 101 scheme in five areas in the UK, including Cardiff.

However, it withdrew funding in 2008 following criticism that the number had not cut-down calls to 999.

The service was saved after local councils and police forces stepped in to run it.

The Home Office said it is not funding the all-Wales number and said the running costs were likely to come from each force's budget.

---

No mention of the cost of 101 calls in this report.


The Dyfed-Powys Police contact page shows only 101 for voice communications. Those living outside Dyfed-Powys' 101 area can fax, use Minicom or send an email, but they cannot telephone.


The Flintshire Chronicle is the only place I can find that it says that the call cost is 10p per call (apart from BT Price List).

No mention of this on the 101 website either:

http://www.101.gov.uk/101-areas/index.html

According to this, 101 is only available in Cardiff!

101 is also live in Hampshire as well:

http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2049206_force_runs_101_number_alone

As I understand it (perhaps someone could find the relevant references) the idea behind costing and charging for the telephony element of the 101 service is that it is charged on a fixed fee per call (10p) basis by all telephone service providers. This was apparently set by negotiation on the basis that this would provide sufficient remuneration for the telcos in handling the calls.

It is difficult to say whether this figure is fair or unfair, however I do not believe that there can be any allegation of revenue sharing. The concept of providing a single access point for police and some local authority services was seen not to have been successful by the UK government, however some local government and police services have continued, despite the lack of national recognition and publicity. There will therefore be different views on whether it is a good or a bad thing.

Whilst it may muddy the waters, I do not believe that 101 is directly relevant to the key point of concern in this forum. Perhaps our concern should be restricted to demanding that 03xx numbers be used in place of revenue sharing 084 and 087 numbers for all access to public services. (Similar issues will arise with 116xxx numbers and the proposed national "short code" number for access the urgent, but non-emergency, NHS services.)

All views and comments are welcome in this open forum. It would be interesting to know if members see 101 to be a matter of concern - should we be seeking geographic number alternatives?

Yes, in my view this is a matter of grave concern.  We pay for public services (including huge amounts to Police Authorities via Council Tax paid to County Councils) and should not therefore be charged extra (a premium) for reporting matters to the police which is a public service, police forces are funded to deal with crime & crime prevention and victims or, indeed, potential witnesses and those able to assist the police, should not be charged for this.  By all means have a single point of contact (useful if one witnesses something while outside one's own area) but it should be funded in the same way as 999 or, if that is not considered financially acceptable, a number charged at geographical rates should be used.   This also will discourage police forces from taking the 03 route.

Barbara wrote on Apr 18^th, 2009 at 2:03pm:

This also will discourage police forces from taking the 03 route.

I have probably misunderstood you there Barbara (I hope I have).  Are you saying numbers such as our own 0300 333 4444 are not a good idea for non-emergency contact with a police force?

Surely 03 is better than 08?

I thought that the 03 numbers are included in the packages like 01 & 02

At 10p per call, 101 is cheaper for many than calling a geographic or 03 number!

It is also important to understand that 101 is not simply an alternative to a Police force non-emergency number. That is perhaps part of its use, but there is a much bigger idea behind it.

No Heinz, what concerns me is that some are rejecting calls to move to 03 numbers on the basis that 03 calls cost more for them to receive  and that these same people might feel 101 is cheaper for them than 03 & use that as an excuse for not moving to 03 nos.   Sorry if my original post was unclear, I was in a bit of a rush.

Where 101 operates, a 01/02/03 alternative should be provided for contact outside its service area as well as abroad.

I'm not so sure about 101. If it were to operate nationally, what happens when you call it from another police force's area to the one which you are calling about? How many calls are they expecting that will have to be passed on to another force?

Why has Dyfed-Powys Police still not published any alternative?

Dave wrote on Apr 20^th, 2009 at 5:45pm:

Where 101 operates, a 01/02/03 I'm not so sure about 101. If it were to operate nationally, what happens when you call it from another police force's area to the one which you are calling about? How many calls are they expecting that will have to be passed on to another force?

Surley what you say Dave is no different to a 999 call?

Perhaps someone would like to look up 101 and offer us some clear basis for our comments.

As I understand it, 101 is used for reporting low impact criminal and nuisance behaviour. THe former is dealt with by the Police, the former by local authorities, so the call centres behind the 101 numbers pass information to (and are briefed by) both, in partnership.

Calls to 101 are routed according to the location of the caller.

It is all part of the single contact point concept which is being promoted throughout the public sector, with limited success for a variety of reasons.

sherbert wrote on Apr 20^th, 2009 at 6:08pm:

Dave wrote on Apr 20th, 2009 at 5:45pm: Where 101 operates, a 01/02/03 I'm not so sure about 101. If it were to operate nationally, what happens when you call it from another police force's area to the one which you are calling about? How many calls are they expecting that will have to be passed on to another force? Surley what you say Dave is no different to a 999 call?

999 is for emergencies so the force you require will be the one where you are making your call. You are unlikely to need to report an emergency when not at the location of the emergency.


SilentCallsVictim wrote on Apr 20^th, 2009 at 6:34pm:

Perhaps someone would like to look up 101 and offer us some clear basis for our comments. As I understand it, 101 is used for reporting low impact criminal and nuisance behaviour. THe former is dealt with by the Police, the former by local authorities, so the call centres behind the 101 numbers pass information to (and are briefed by) both, in partnership.

For Hampshire, see the newspaper article:

http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2049206_force_runs_101_number_alone

It says:


Quote:

However after a “lack of cohesion” Chief Constable Alex Marshall decided to dissolve the partnership and the scheme is now being run by Hampshire Constabulary alone. Councillors will not sit on the scheme’s executive but councils will still receive reports of bad behaviour — but it is up to them to follow the report through.

Dave wrote on Apr 20^th, 2009 at 7:34pm:

For Hampshire, see the newspaper article: http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2049206_force_runs_101_number_alone

Thanks Dave. The following should also be noted;

Quote:

The service will now run alongside the normal way of contacting Hampshire Constabulary on 0845 0454545.

The 101 idea simply has not worked as it was conceived. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the case, I see the issue of call charging as only being a minor feature. Like 0845 it is cheaper for some (indeed the vast majority), but more expensive for others. Unlike 0845 however, this has nothing to do with revenue sharing, so there is no clear issue of principle on which to attack it, unless one believes that all contact with public services should be made without incurring any cost, i.e. paid for out of taxation.

From today's 'Mail on Sunday'............

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250876/10p-charge-police-revived-101-number.html


The Government is planning to resurrect an alternative number to 999  that will charge members of the public 10p to report anti-social behaviour and non-emergency crimes to police.

The 101 number was introduced in 2006 to take pressure off the emergency line but was abandoned after pilot schemes showed it failed to significantly reduce the volume of 999 calls.

It also caused controversy at the time after it was revealed the Government had planned to include ‘people drug dealing’ as a non-emergency crime which the service could deal with.
police

The Government is planning to revive a 101 number to report anti-social behaviour to police

Now The Mail on Sunday has learned that 101 will be introduced nationwide as part of a package of initiatives to be announced in the next fortnight to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The number is aimed at dealing with incidents such as vandalism, graffiti, drunk and rowdy groups, threatening and abusive behaviour, noise nuisance and dangerous driving.

It is being tested in Sheffield, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Cardiff. But during the initial stages of the trial in Hampshire, two out of three of the hotline’s 20,000 calls a month were ‘inappropriate’ and operators complained they received requests such as, ‘I’d like someone to test my smoke alarm’ and, ‘Do you know when the next bus leaves for Southampton?’

Critics claim the 101 line causes confusion, devalues the status of many crimes and that it is unfair of police to charge people for reporting a crime.

But senior police sources say the majority of chief constables support the introduction of the number to replace  forces’ 08458 or 0345 non-emergency numbers which many people forget.

Sources say the public will be able to dial 101 to report a burglary or crimes that require investigation but not an immediate ‘blue light’ response.

The expected cost of the new number is estimated to run into tens of millions of pounds and each local authority may have to man their hotlines with up to 20 police and civilian operators, costing around £450,000 a year. Alternatively, it may involve the recruitment of a private telecommunications firm to administer a national service.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has been consulting forces across the country in recent weeks about the plan, which is expected to start this summer.

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘The Home Office continues to fund the national infrastructure for 101 to allow local areas to adopt the number. We are  in the process of consulting with stakeholders before considering any options for the future of the 101 programme.’

Another proposal to be announced by Gordon Brown as part of the anti-social behaviour initiative is internet forums, where communities can vote on crimes that their local police should be dealing with. The votes are then counted and the local Inspector can decide on which areas to deploy more officers.

---

~ Edited by Dave: Link to article added

sherbert wrote on Feb 14^th, 2010 at 12:31pm:

From today's 'Mail on Sunday'............

This report seems rather confused as it suggests that 101 be now used for a different purpose to that which is currently in place, and it seems to have obtained no official confirmation about just what is going to happen. That is not to say that a change to the purpose of the number may be coming.

The original idea encompassed reports of matters handled by local authorities such as noise and litter, requiring extensive coopertation and much smaller areas than those covered by a particular Constabulary / Police Service being dealt with separately. It is suggested that this aspect is to be dropped.

Whilst some Police may be happy for their non-emergency number service to be totally replaced (perhaps believing that this will be at the expense of the Home Service) there will be others who have only recently launched new numbers, and / or will perhaps see the need to retain them for matters other than reporting anti-social behaviour.

If there us any announcement it will probably come to nothing, because it must be unlikely to secure the support of all the Police, which will be essential.  

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Feb 15^th, 2010 at 2:02am:

This report seems rather confused  ...........

One thing this report is not confused about ----  is that the Home Office wants to charge the public to call the police and to prevent us from using normal phone numbers at normal rates, including the ability to call numbers for which the cost is within our "inclusive" packages.

A quick look at the first few comments on this article shows immediately what is the primary concern of the public --- the charge for calling the police.   All other potential matters of concern are subsidiary.   The Home Office ought to concern itself with the matter of the charge as it's first priority.

These are the first comments recorded on the Daily Mail site :---

 Rating   14
I'll just use 999 then
- Paul B, Surrey, England, 14/2/2010 0:10
Click to rate     Rating   14
No one will call the police, bad behaviour will escalate and contribute to damaged of britain.
- Romi May, Handsworth Wood, 14/2/
NEXT CHARGE BY THE LOONEY LEFT LABOUR PARTY WILL BE £1.00 TO CALL 999.
- bipin, london, 13/2/2010 23:29
Rating   6
Well this had to come sooner or later because this stupid half wit government - "The Blair's legacy" is so short of cash because of all the coffers persistently being bled dry by loafers. Combine that with the people with sense, who've emigrated by the hundreds of thousands so they don't pay tax which runs into millions of pounds in loss to the government, so now, they're just hell bent on creating ways to wallop the hard pressed worker AGAIN for a tax.

The next thing to be taxed will be texts, mobile phone calls, internet time, etc etc.. this government through the Blair's and bad management have no money so see the need to create theft taxes to make up for their stupidity and loss!

Plus, their expenses of course!
- Gary Rose, La-La-Land, 14/2/2010 1:20
Click to rate     Rating   5
Why does Brown not go the hole hog - make ALL calls to the police premium rate services paycalls and charge a pound a call per minute, using 0900 999 999 - we could see a service where the police ride around in Rolls Royces and fly Lear jets and live in Mayfair penthouses.

If that is a non-goer, lets just do away with the police altogether, as the magistrates and judges are so hidebound by NuLabour's sentencing guidelines that criminals get let off and householders who fight back are prosecuted and gaoled.
- peter marton, middlesbrough, 14/2/2010 1:17
Click to rate     Rating   5
probabley another of gords fruit cake ideas to stop.folk ringing in...hell then claim crime figures are down ......why not just charge 10 quid per 999 call.....
- onemansjob, barnsley england., 14/2/2010 1:11
Click to rate     Rating   8
My guess if they have to pay to report crime then people will just continue to use 999. I once reported an incident on the police's local number that charged after 5 minutes waiting I hung up and after that I resolved never to call again.
- Stephen, St. Ives, Cornwall, 14/2/2010 1:11
Click to rate     Rating   11
should be free to report crime. It is criminal to charge us to report crime.
- The Voice of reason, UK, 14/2/2010 0:42
I was gob smacked to return to GB to see 0845 tel numbers on police cars. Are the police in GB today so dumb that they think people will phone to aid them at their own expense and at the profit of the police? Most people have phone packages that allow for free calls to regular tel numbers, why not give a regular tel number? If the police won't help us help them fight crime with free reporting of crime, guess what, we won't bother. It's human nature. Maybe that's what they want, if it isn't reported then the stats will show that crime is dropping and they are doing their job. The Blair system.

It would serve the Home Office and Police to consult those who might have information of value to the authorities, and learn that this will cost the country much more due to the lack of public cooperation and reporting of crime than it will save. When in GB I WILL NOT do business with any company that makes me use 0845 # for any service. This applies to all. Wake up Britain. Save 10p.
- MG, BRIT in Seattle, USA, 14/2/2010 2:04
Click to rate     Rating   9

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250876/10p-charge-police-revived-101-number.html#ixzz0fazwtZx4



And the majority of the 91 comments go on to gripe about the idea of charging us extra to call the police to report a possible crime, or unacceptable behaviour --- in order to help the police.   (The "rating" indicates where readers have voted in favour of the comment.)   Even though the charge proposed is a flat rate of 10p per call, the people who have taken the trouble to comment on this article amost all are annoyed, angry, fed up, mad and enraged that all this Government want to do is to rip-off the Bristish people.   Isn't it about time that the Government changed their attitude and actually DO something for a change??    For example to stop the NHS scamming patients with 0845 and 0844 numbers ( because what has been done so far appears to be a complete failure) and get Ofcom to scrap 0843/5, 0844 and 0871/2/3 numbers altogether??

Here, here loddon!!

loddon wrote on Feb 15^th, 2010 at 9:24am:

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Feb 15th, 2010 at 2:02am:     This report seems rather confused  ........... One thing this report is not confused about ----  is that the Home Office wants to charge the public to call the police and to prevent us from using normal phone numbers at normal rates, including the ability to call numbers for which the cost is within our "inclusive" packages.

Whilst the somewhat perverse views of Daily Mail readers do little to advance the debate, the general point about a 10p charge to report anti-social behaviour will be one of the reasons why this idea will struggle to get off the ground - I suspect that 111 will face similar problems.

I wonder why none of the correspondents suggest that it would indeed be good to do more to make it easier for people to get action taken against anti-social behaviour (a view that one might expect to find in these columns), but that this new measure should be funded out of taxation or by adding to the deficit. It may be somewhat disturbing to think that at the general election they will be voting for candidates who will be able to provide protection from crime and nuisance out of their personal wealth. Even more disturbing is the idea that "the Police" is some independent body that should take care of itself and discharge its responsibilities without the need for engagement with citizens.

The idea that the present government, or indeed any likely incoming government, would possibly abolish Ofcom's independence and take a more anti-business position under direct control is somewhat fanciful. Similarly I have seen no indication that we could look forward to the NHS being run more directly from Whitehall.

On balance we must remember that in this pre-manifesto situation, all initiatives and counter-proposals from the two parties hoping to form the next government are little more than traps set to lure their opponents into some hopefully catestrophic error.

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Feb 15^th, 2010 at 10:55am:

I wonder why none of the correspondents suggest that it would indeed be good to do more to make it easier for people to get action taken against anti-social behaviour (a view that one might expect to find in these columns), but that this new measure should be funded out of taxation or by adding to the deficit. ......... Even more disturbing is the idea that "the Police" is some independent body that should take care of itself and discharge its responsibilities without the need for engagement with citizens.

Where did these ideas come from?    

Surely the commenters are making the point that the imposition of an additional charge to call the police will not make it easier, and will in fact be a discouragement to calling the police, as many have made clear.    I think the comments make it clear that these people ARE responsible and DO want to report criminal and anti-social behaviour but the idea of having to pay extra for such calls is unhelpful and will deter people.

I doubt that any of the commenters advocate that this "new measure" should be funded by adding to the deficit.    If you are implying that the 10p charge will be revenue sharing and that the revenue will contribute to the police budget for this measure I would like to know where that is reported.     There is nothing in this article to suggest that.   I doubt that there will be any contribution to police funding, all the profit will most likely be gathered in by the telecomms industry.    And that is the problem.    Questions arise about what all this is costing compared to the simple solution of local police forces having local numbers for people to call.   I bet there is no cost saving, just increased expenditure.

You puzzle me with this statement --"the Police" is some independent body that should take care of itself and discharge its responsibilities without the need for engagement with citizens."    Who suggested that?    The impression I got from reading the comments is that most people deplore the lack of response, lack of concern and lack of engagement with the "genuine and concerned public".    How will introducing an extra call charge help?