The public are being reminded of when to call the non-emergency 101 number and when to dial 999.

 

Every day around 35 calls on average go through to Hertfordshire’s Force Control Room (FCR) via 101 when calling 999 would have been the better choice.

 

Calling 999 means your call gets priority and allows the most appropriate action to be taken immediately. Always call 999 if:

 

• Someone is injured, being threatened or is in danger.
• There is a risk of injury to someone or a risk of serious damage to property.
• A crime is in progress or you suspect a crime is in progress.
• There is a serious incident which needs immediate police attendance.
• Someone suspected of a crime is nearby.

 

In February 2017, the Force received 33,713 calls through the non-emergency 101 number.

 

Typical examples of when people should call 101 include:

• If you want to give police information about a crime that is not currently in progress.
• To contact a local police officer, such as someone from your Safer Neighbourhood team.
• If your property has been stolen or damaged but it is not a crime in progress.
• If you suspect drug dealing or use in your area.

 

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Jane Swinburne, who is the tri-force Public Contact lead, said: “It is important that people know when it is appropriate to call 101 and when it is best to dial 999. This allows us to get help to those in need and provide the best possible service to the public.”

 

A call to 101 costs 15p for the duration of the call whether from a landline or a mobile phone. If you have a calling plan that offers free 01 numbers, you can reach Hertfordshire Constabulary on 01707 354000 as an alternative to 101.

 

Alongside the 101 number there are several other easy ways to contact the Force when it is not an emergency.

 

The web chat facility, which went live earlier this year, means people reporting non-urgent crimes or those with a police query can contact an operator online (www.contacthertspolice.uk/Contact/NonEmergency.aspx)

 

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Swinburne said: “Web chat could benefit those who for, whatever reason, may not want to speak to one of our 101 operators over the telephone.

 

“This could be due to a number of reasons – perhaps you are more comfortable communicating online, it is more convenient, perhaps you do not want others in the household to know you’re contacting us, or maybe you are hard of hearing and would find it easier to communicate online. Whatever the reason, our online web chat facility still puts you directly through to a control room operator and is another way that we’re making it easier for the public to contact police.

 

“However, please remember that the 101 number and web chat facility should only be used for non-emergencies. If a crime is in progress or you or others are at risk of harm always dial 999.”

 

Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, David Lloyd, said: “I welcome this reminder of when the public should call the non-emergency 101 number and when to dial 999. I will continue to push forward developments in a range of new technologies to listen to the public and enable them to engage with the police in a way that suits them best.

 

“By reporting an incident online, rather than using the 101 number or attending a police station in person, gives the public greater flexibility to interact at a time that suits them.”

 

There are also other ways of getting in touch through the ‘Contact Us’ section on the force website – www.herts.police.uk. Here you can look up the contact details of specific officers, contact a department directly, access details to email or write to us and view contact details for partner agencies such as local authorities to report matters such as noise nuisance and highways issues.

 

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired you can also text 07786 207091 (this number is only used in Hertfordshire) or textphone/Minicom 18001 101.

 

In an emergency text your emergency to 999 (you must be registered to the National Emergency Text Service before doing this) including what the problem is, what service you require – police, fire, ambulance or coastguard and give the details of where you are.