Write a commentIn an effort to make the phone number for non emergency incidents easier to remember the Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched a new non-emergency telephone number.
Any member of the public who wants to speak to police about a non-emergency matter should now dial 101. This new number replaces the 0845 600 8000 number that has been in use for several years and will now be phased out. The new number will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Police in Newry and Mourne have joined with Newry and Mourne Police and Community Safety Partnership to promote the new number and educate the public about when they should use 101 non-emergency number and when they should use 999.
Newry and Mourne Area Commander, Chief Inspector Davy Beck, said the new non-emergency number will offer real benefits to the public and greatly simplify how people contact the Police Service.
He stated: “We have changed to the 101 number to make it easier for the public to contact us. One of the biggest benefits for people in the local community is that they will have an easy to remember number that they can call from anywhere in Northern Ireland at any time.
“I would encourage everyone to use the new 101 number which will help to free up the 999 system for genuine emergencies such as reporting a crime that is in progress, or a situation where somebody is in immediate danger.
“By making it clear when to dial 101 non-emergency and when to dial 999 we can ensure that real emergencies are dealt with appropriately resulting in a much more efficient and effective service.”
Chairman of the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Michael Carr commented that the number was much easier for the community to remember and hoped that it would encourage more people to get in contact with the Police to report crime and antisocial behaviour.
Calls to 101 non-emergency from landlines or mobile phones* cost 15 pence, regardless of the length of time you are on the phone or the time of the day you call.
101 is a UK only Service. Callers in the Republic of Ireland, or roaming on an Irish network, can still contact Police Service of Northern Ireland on + 44 2890 650222.
*Tesco mobile and giffgaff mobile network users will not be able to dial the 101 non-emergency number. Those network users should dial 02890 650222.
