Launch of the New Non Emergency Number

101 is the new non-emergency phone number in West Yorkshire.

From today (Thursday 17 November) West Yorkshire Police has a new contact number for you to ring when it's not an emergency.

101 gives the public one easy way to get in touch with the police for calls that do not need an urgent response. 101 is easy to remember and easy to call.

You can call 101 to report a crime that has already happened, ask for crime prevention advice or give the police information. In an emergency always call 999.

When you call the 101 number the operator will take down information about what has happened and, if necessary, arrange an appointment for an officer to come round and see you.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom, in charge of the Operations Support Services Department, said switching to the new non-emergency number will make West Yorkshire Police easier to remember and easier to call:

"All calls to 101 cost just 15p, even from a mobile and no matter how long it lasts for.  101 will in no way replace the 999 emergency number but will instead complement it - one number for emergencies and one for non-emergency situations."

Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson, Chairman of West Yorkshire Police Authority, said 101 was a significant move to making the police even more accessible:

"101 gives the public a memorable non-emergency number so they can get in touch with West Yorkshire Police," he said. "It will make crime easier to report and help the police to tackle crime and disorder."

In the West Yorkshire Police consultation with local communities they know that many people have difficulty remembering the 0845 6060606 number and the idea of a 3-digit code should hopefully make it easier to remember.
Visit www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101 for further information.

Throughout the 101 campaign, West Yorkshire Police will be sending out messages via their Twitter account @WestYorksPolice.

If your organisation / group has a Twitter account, we would encourage you to follow @WestYorksPolice for up to date information. Please could you retweet (RT) any key messages that may be of benefit to your followers.