Time to turn to 101 – Durham Constabulary

Durham Constabulary’s non-emergency phone number – 101 – will be the only number for people in the region to call as from today.

The new national non-emergency number 101 went live in Durham in December 2011. It automatically connects callers to their nearest force, but includes options for four other neighbouring forces.

The aim is to have a single non-emergency number for the police which is easy to remember and make it simpler for the public to contact the police in non-emergency situations.

Durham’s previous number – 0845 6060365, which dates back to 2003 – will be switched off from today. Any callers will receive a message advising them to hang up and ring 101.

Although the alternative number – 0345 6060365 – will still operate, it is tailored towards people calling from outside County Durham and Darlington. Local callers using this number will receive a message advising them to use 101.

Chief Superintendent John Bell, head of Durham Constabulary’s Response Command, said: “101 is already proving popular for providing people with quick, direct access to their nearest police force. Our response times remain high and we want this to continue, so the more people who use 101 the better. Using 101 will enable us to continue to provide an effective policing service to the people of County Durham and Darlington.”

Time to turn to 101 –.