Lincs Police defend new number

Last week, the police rolled out the number 101 with officials saying that it will improve access and give the public an easy way to get in touch when they do not require an urgent response.

However, the move received received some criticism for its flat-price of 15p to call.

Gainsborough resident Callum Sheldon said: “If they stayed with the old land line it would still be free for a lot of us.”

However, the police argue that the new move will be cheaper for the majority.

Assistant Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Keith Smy said: “The charge in fact reduces with the new 101 number.”

“Lincolnshire Police have not imposed any charge and we certainly aren’t on any ‘money making scam’ as has been suggested.”

He continued: “The fixed price of 15p for any length of 101 call means that for the vast majority of people this will be cheaper than calls to the old numbers. Some people were paying more than 15p per minute before, so in these hard times that has to be a good thing.”

“It’s worth mentioning as well that the police do not receive any income or money from call charging and this great single national call rate was negotiated with the Home Office, the police and the telephone companies.”

Mr Smy said the number has been introduced for a number of reasons.

“Other than it being cheaper for those using it, it is a lot easier to remember and means that people don’t have to look up numbers for their local police,” he said.

He added: “Please use the new 101 non-emergency number, it’s easier to remember, it works anywhere in the country, it’s cheaper for you and it will help us keep the 999 lines free for emergencies.”