The new Police Scotland 101 non-emergency number was launched across Scotland on Thursday 21
February 2013. It has replaced the vast range of existing police force non-emergency
numbers, including the old Grampian Police number.
The introduction of the 101 non-emergency number will give the people of Scotland
a new way to contact Police Scotland, seek advice, speak to a local officer or to report
a crime that does not need an emergency response, for example:
- car theft;
- damage to property;
- a minor traffic collision;
- suspected drug use or dealing;
- information about crime in their area.
The 101 non-emergency number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It costs a flat rate of 15p per call and will connect the public to a police service
centre in their local area.
This number has already been launched successfully in England and Wales and is widely used.
The key reasons for introducing the 101 non-emergency number in Scotland are to:
- Help keep people safe by giving them one easy-to-remember number for contacting the police, wherever they are in Scotland;
- Make the police more accessible, while reducing pressure on the 999 system;
- Help the police cut crime by making it easier for the public to pass on information;
- Support the creation of a more efficient and effective police service for the people of Scotland;
- Increase interoperability with England and Wales, with 101 becoming the nationally recognised non-emergency number for contacting the police across the UK.
The public should continue to call 999 in an emergency such as:
- when a crime is in progress;
- when someone suspected of a crime is nearby;
- when a life is in danger;
- when violence is being used or threatened.
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