Source: Hull City Council

http://www.hullcc.ukcouncil.net/document/03_Apr_09_1.doc

MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

3rd April, 2009

(1.00 p.m.)

[…]

Humberside Police Telephone Numbers.

Notice of Motion to be moved by Councillor FAREHAM:

Council is aware the Department of Health is currently consulting on a ban on "revenue sharing" telephone numbers starting 084x. Council is further aware that seven police forces now use 03xx telephone numbers, which are non geographical and provide the same functionality as 084x numbers and do not levy a fee, but that Humberside Police is not one of them.

Council requests its representatives on the Humberside Police Authority urge favourable consideration to be given to seek a review of the number used by the Humberside Police Force and asks them to consider the appropriateness of using a telephone number which is effectively a "stealth tax" on victims of crime.

[…]

Source: Northamptonshire Police FOI Response, February 2009

http://northants.police.uk/files/documents/Freedom%20of%20Information/Lists%20an...


"Northamptonshire Police plan to move towards an 0300 number in April 2009."

Source: Northants Evening Telegraph

http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/New-nonemergency-police-number-launches.523521...

New non-emergency police number launches tomorrow

Published Date:  05 May 2009

Northamptonshire Police is launching a new non-emergency telephone number tomorrow.

The new number for all non-emergency calls to the Force will be 03000 111 222.

This is the new single countywide telephone number to call Northamptonshire Police for all non-emergency matters.

People can call 03000 111 222 at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The existing telephone numbers will be gradually phased out but will still connect to police until people get used to the new number.

Calls from any network will cost no more than those to 01 or 02 numbers and can be used as part of inclusive minutes packages, such as those in mobile phone contracts, and incorporated in 'friends and family' type discounts.

People can also call 03000 111 222 when they need to speak to their local Safer Community Team or to seek advice on any police matter.

Superintendent Bob Smart, head of the Force Communications Centre, said the move is part of the drive to continually improve the service provided to the public.

He said: "We have worked very hard over the last few years to improve our call handling procedures and the introduction of a single non-emergency number in 2006 was a significant step towards that.

"However, we are continually trying to improve our service and respond to the needs of our customers. The new number will not only be easier for people to remember, but it can also cost less for them to contact the police for assistance, wherever they are calling from.

[…]

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Official press release from Northamptonshire Police:

http://www.northants.police.uk/default.aspx?id=1252

Dave wrote on May 9^th, 2009 at 7:39am:

They're still confused though aren't they?  What's that all about?

http://www.moray.gov.uk/downloads/file58976.pdf

Strathisla Community Council
Minutes of Meeting of Wednesday, 4th February, 2009

[…]

Telephone Costs: Ian Ross raised the cost of phoning the police 0845 number. The inconsistency of costs was also discussed ranging from free BT calls , local call rate of 0845 numbers and mobile costs. The Chair is to ask at the forthcoming JCC Meeting if there is further clarification on standardised tariffs.

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http://www.yourmoray.org.uk/Area%20Forums/MorayForumMinutes/Minute180308.pdf

THE MORAY FORUM
Meeting on Wednesday 18 March 2008 at 7.00pm
Committee Room , Council HQ

[…]

Grampian Police Board

Barry Taylor raised an issue arising from the recent meeting of the Grampian Police Board. He advised that Councillor Douglas Ross had highlighted various concerns about the use of the 0845 number by the call centre at Bucksburn. Councillor Ross felt that these concerns were not being properly answered and sought to probe further, at which point he was threatened with being removed from the meeting.

The Forum agreed this was a serious matter, particularly in relation to the views of Area Forums being taken on board by Community Planning partners. After further discussion it was agreed that contact should be made with the Police Board to determine their understanding of the issue. The Chair agreed to write to the Board, once he had received details from the Buckie Area Forum. It was felt that opportunity should be taken in the letter to emphasise again concerns regarding the 0845 number.

ACTION: The Chair to write to Grampian Police Board

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http://www.moray.gov.uk/downloads/file59337.pdf

Strathisla Community Council
Minutes of Meeting of Wednesday, 4th March, 2009

[…]

Police 0845 and 0870 Numbers
Sgt Black had forwarded information on costs as discussed at the previous meeting. Calls can be free with BT depending on Calling Plan. Costs to 0845 numbers are .02p per minute daytime and .05p at all other times from BT Network, other networks may vary. 0844 numbers are .01 per minute rising to .05p with same costs at all times. The matter has also been raised at Joint Community Council Meetings.

jgxenite wrote on May 11^th, 2009 at 1:55pm:

I think this could be an error by the person who transcribed the minutes.

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/2009_01_29.pdf

STRATEGY GROUP
Notes of the Meeting held on 29th January 2009, HQ Conference Hall

145 – 08/09 Non-Emergency Contact Number

This paper provides CCMT with the current position regarding the single nonemergency number (0845) and outlines options for the future replacement of the number.

TVP moved to the 0845 number in January 2006. At this time, all calls to 0845 were guaranteed at no more than the equivalent local or national rate to a geographic number. TVP has never derived profit from our 0845 number.

Use of a single, non-emergency number enables functionality that is not feasible through use of a geographic number.

Public perception of 0845/0870 numbers is not particularly positive and there is a degree of ‘brand tainting’ attached to their use. TVP may suffer from this. Complaints/communications about 0845 are low, with only seven recorded in the course of this financial year to date.

The external telecoms market has changed considerably since 2006. This has complicated the telecoms context considerably, in particular with the introduction of charging bundles which often provide free evening and weekend calls. 0845 numbers are not usually included in such bundles, although BT have very recently included them in their bundles.

It is not as straightforward as all calls to 0845 numbers being more expensive. At certain times of the day they are cheaper than geographic calls.

The 101 pilot initially lost impetus when Government withdrew funding. However, the pilot Forces now appear to be refocusing on 101 as their option of choice for contact to the police. All calls are charged at 10p per call, regardless of length. Calls from public payphones are free. 101 is a very simple and memorable number.

Work is under way under the SE Regional Collaboration Programme to ascertain the feasibility of all SE forces using the same non-emergency number. This work will consider the 101 option.

An initial set up fee of £50,000 is required for 101, but there appears to be no subsequent annual or per call charges thereafter.

Ofcom have developed the ‘03’ series specifically for contact with public sector bodies. These are regulated by Ofcom, ensure that all calls are no more expensive than the equivalent geographic call and providers are required to include 03 numbers in their evening & weekend bundles. TVPs equivalent 03 number has been reserved.

Charges to TVP are substantially higher for 0345 than for our 0845 number.

Four options were presented for consideration;

• Retain the existing 0845 number
• Await the outcome of regional collaborative research
• Unilaterally (from the region) implement 101
• Move to our reserved 0345 number

Having looked at all of the options TVP would prefer to transfer to the 101 number but its development is still in the early stages and it is not clear how long it will take so in the meantime will keep the 0845 8505 505 non emergency number.

It was agreed:
1. That TVP would not be looking to change to an 0345 non-emergency number in the short to medium term.
2. To look to develop the use of 101 as the non-emergency number for eventual adoption

Action: 1-2. ACC O [Head of CRED]