Non-emergency 101 telephone number

101 was today confirmed as the new telephone number for the public to secure advice and action on community safety and anti-social behaviour issues. The service is designed to improve the delivery of non-emergency services by ensuring a better co-ordinated response by local agencies, while freeing up the 999 service to handle emergency incidents.

The new three digit number will be available across England and Wales by 2008, with Hampshire in the first wave of introduction of this new service. 101 has been set up to give the public direct access to the services they want, for example:

Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property. Noisy neighbours, intimidation and harassment, abandoned vehicles, rubbish and litter, including fly tipping, people being drunk or rowdy in public places, drug-related anti-social behaviour and street lighting.

SNEN operators will deal with enquiries over the phone by giving advice and information where needed, arranging for action to be taken when appropriate or by directing the caller to a person or organisation who can help them. Working alongside 999 - SNEN operators will be able to direct callers to the 999 emergency service if the call needs an emergency response.