Where’s St Neots tip? question for police call handlers
CALLERS to Cambridgeshire police’s non-emergency telephone number have been using it as a helpline.
Police have urged Cambridgeshire residents not to call the number for non-policing issues after fielding calls asking where the St Neots tip is, complaining about an aerial outside their home, and another call in which a person asked for a plumber.
On Monday (April 16) police launched a ‘tweetathon’ on the social media site Twitter to highlight some of the inappropriate calls to 101.
Tracy Blackwood, police service centre manager, said: “People should not misuse the number 101 and remember, ‘when the danger’s gone dial 101’.
“Call operators are receiving calls about non-police issues and potentially keeping other people on hold who do have a police matter that needs dealing with.”
Two weeks ago Cambridgeshire police’s old 0345 number was switched off and 101 made the only non-emergency number.
Tracy added: “The number change does not affect the way calls are handled and non-emergency calls will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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“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.”
