FROM today, Cambridgeshire police force will only be contactable via the 101 number for all non-emergency calls.

The permanent switchover for Cambridgeshire police starts today (Sunday), with the old 0345 number switched off, and a recorded message telling people to call 101.

For the past year, that number ran alongside 101. Chief superintendent Andy Hebb said: “The 101 number has been in place for some time now, the only difference is that people will no longer be able to get through to an operator on the old number.

“The number change does not affect the way that calls are handled and non-emergency calls will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

The change is part of a national scheme, which will see the 101 number made the sole non-emergency number in the country.

If a caller does not want to speak to their local force, they will be given the option to connect to a different one.

Chief supt Hebb added: “People should continue to call 999 when an immediate response is needed, for example if a crime is happening, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, or someone is in danger”.