Home News Columnists Ian Robson

101 number for non-emergencies is a waste of cash

Jan 27 2008 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

IT is with no regret that I announce the impending death of the 101 number.

101, if you recall, was a cut-price 999 for reporting non-emergency crime. It went like this . . .

Caller: I want to report threatening and abusive behaviour.

101: Thank you sir, we’ll take the details and investigate in a month.

Caller: How about drug-related anti-social behaviour?

101: Sorry, sir we have no one available at the present time.

Caller: Vandalism and graffiti?

101: Sorry, sir, that’s not a priority right now.

The non-emergency emergency number piloted in the Northumbria Police area sent all the wrong messages.

It told victims they were not important enough . . . while giving cops the excuse not to bother with this belt-and-braces type work.

Now the Government has withdrawn funding to maintain the call centre which handled 101 inquiries.

Local councils, meeting this week, may not agree to fork out the £1.2m needed to keep it going. Hopefully.

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