Police Telephone Numbers

The 101 non-emergency number was launched in Wiltshire last September (2011) as part of the national roll-out.

Our 0845 408 7000 contact number has been running alongside this number with approximately 40% of calls still coming in via this route, however, 0845 408 7000 will cease operation on 30 September 2012, and so phase two of the 101 awareness campaign will launch on Monday 17 September 2012 to publicise this.

When should callers use 101?

The 101 national number gives local communities an easy way to contact police – when it’s less urgent than 999.

In a non-emergency dial 101 if:
 you want to report a crime/issue that does not require an immediate emergency responseyou or someone else are not in immediate dangeryou would like to speak to your local police officeryou want to provide information about a crime

It is important to reiterate that 999 is still the number when you want to contact the police in an emergency, such as:

• you need an immediate response because a crime is in progress or you think it is
• you or someone else is injured or there is a threat to life
• a serious road traffic collision has taken place
• violence is being used or threatened

How does 101 work?

101 will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When someone calls 101, they will hear a recorded message announcing that they are being connected to their local police force. The system will determine the caller’s location and connect them to the relevant police force.

If a caller is on a boundary between two or more forces, the recorded message will give them a choice of which force to be connected to.
After a pause of approximately four seconds, the message will also give the caller the option to select an alternative police force of their choice via an operator.

What will happen to the current 0845 408 7000 number?

The 0845 number will cease use on 30 September 2012. A recorded message will ask people to re-dial 101.

Can people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, use 101?

People who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired can text-phone 18001 101.
In an emergency, you can text 80999 from any phone.

Is it more expensive for the public to contact the police on 101?

Individual telephony companies currently decide on the cost of dialling an 0845 number so it depends on the contract/supplier opted for.
With 101 it has been nationally agreed that a flat rate of 15p will be charged whether a member of the public is calling from a landline or mobile, irrespective of how long their call lasts.