MORE than 3,000 calls were put through to Cambridgeshire’s new non-emergency police number in its first month.

The new number is 101, which replaces the previous 0345 number. It is part of a national scheme that is designed to make 101 the single number for non-emergency calls across England and Wales.

In the month since its launch on September 21, 3,416 calls have been made to 101, though the old number is still in use and will remain so for several months as the transition is made.

The 101 system has been designed to recognise where callers are dialling from and connect them with the local police force. If the caller does not want to speak to their local force they have the option to be connected to different one.

Superintendent Paul Fullwood said: “The number change does not affect the way that calls are handled. Cambridgeshire police continue to take non-emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“People should continue to call 999 when an immediate response is needed because a crime is happening, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, or someone is in danger.”