New Non-Emergency Police Number

14 November 2011, 05:00 | Updated: 14 November 2011, 07:39

A new non-emergency number's gone live in the Thames Valley.

101 is the new national number which replaces the old 0845 8 505 505 number, which will be phased out over the next few months.

Superintendent Howard Stone has told Heart it should make it a lot easier for people to get in touch.

"For a crime in action or serious car accident, 999 is appropriate. This is for people wanting to ring in with information or enquiries. It's very simple - 101 couldn't be easier."

Supt Stone's added that people will get put through to local officers who know their area.

Thames Valley Police is part of the fourth wave of forces bringing the number in.

It's being introduced because 2010 British Crime Survey found only 54% of people knew how to contact their local police.

Calls cost a flat rate of 15p from both a land-line and mobile.