OCTOBER saw the fourth anniversary of Hertfordshire Constabulary’s single contact number for all non-999 calls.  The number was launched in October 2004 to replace over 20 different phone numbers that existed before.

The number 0845 33 00 222 was chosen as a simple alternative for people in the county to call to report a crime , speak to an officer, get police advice, to give police information (such as reporting a suspected drug dealer or someone thought to be living off the proceeds of crime) and any other non-emergency call.  

Four years on, the non-emergency number is called an average 32,000 times a month, that’s over 1,000 calls every day. Around 70 per cent of non-emergency calls to police are made to the 0845 33 00 222 number with the rest made on the Headquarters landline (01707 354000*) and a small number still being received via the old individual police station numbers.

Deputy Contact Centre Manager, Jason Baxter, said: “Remember, you can use 0845 33 00 222 for all general enquiries, advice and information as well as to report a crime - in an emergency, such as to report a crime that is in progress, or an on going incident where there is a risk of serious injury or damage, always use 999.

“Keep the number handy – in your phone book at home, programmed into your mobile, noted in your diary or PDA. The 0845 number is also listed in all telephone directories that have been updated since 2004. You can find the number listed under the name of your local police station, ‘Police’ or ‘Hertfordshire Constabulary’.”

Jason encourages people to call 0845 33 00 222 if they wanted to report a crime (although not one in progress as that should be made to 999 as an emergency call). “There’s no need to travel to a police station to make a report of crime, everything can be taken down over the phone and arrangements made for an officer to visit you, where appropriate. Our call takers can give you any additional advice in relation to your crime and you can be referred to Victim Support if you would like this extra help.”

* Calling the non-emergency number from a landline is charged at a local rate but costs from mobile phones vary. Some network providers charge premium rates so, if you are concerned about the cost to call 0845 from your mobile phone, check with your service provider and if you think their charge is too high you can use 01707 354000 instead.  This goes to the Constabulary Contact Centre and will cost the same as any other call to an 01 number from your mobile.