Got my response from my FOI enquiry, it said:-

"The Police Information Technology Organisation  (PITO) negotiated the contract with Cable and Wireless to provide National Mutual Aid Telephony between forces and members of the public as part of the PNN2 framework arrangement for data and telecommunications services, and provided the 0870 number for our use. This mutual aid capability is essential to give the police service the number of call handling positions it needs for a major incident at short notice,

Shortly after the MPS Casualty Bureau became operative on 7 July, it became apparent that not all non-UK telephony service providers were able to connect to the non-geographic 0870 number. PITO, therefore, provided, at the MPS's request, a geographic number (0207 158 0010) to sit alongside the 0870 number from the evening of 8 July. This was published on the MPS website and released by our Press Office.

Minister for Policing Hazel Blears has announced an urgent review into the use of the 0870 number. The Home Office is leading on that work and will announce the findings in due course.

I should make absolutely clear that neither the Home Office, nor PITO nor the MPS has profited financially from the use of the 0870 number. Cable and Wireless have agreed to donate their profits from the use of the 0870 number to the London Bombings Relief Fund and Hazel Blears has asked  mobile phone service providers to do the same, or to waive the charge to their customers."

So it appears they immediately realised their error (presumably nothing to do with our 'prompting'!) and they did not make money out of it themselves (Thinks "Now where have I heard that before??").
Yes, all that well advertised 'forward planning' by the emergency services did pay off!!

Heres my response from them.

       The Metropolitan Police Service's use of 0870 and 0845 telephone numbers.

Your email is one of a number we have received raising issues of concern surrounding the use of these numbers.

I will answer your questions using your numbering.

1.      Do you use 0870 telephone numbers?

In general, no. We believe the only one we ever used was for the MPS Casualty Bureau number on 7 July which was our first use of a new Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) provided service. There are no 0870 numbers currently in use by the MPS (the Casualty Bureau to service the 7 July terrorist attacks closed on 27 July).

1.1.        And if so, why do you use 0870 numbers?

In relation to the Casualty Bureau number used on 7 July, PITO negotiated the contract with Cable and Wireless to provide National Mutual Aid Telephony between forces and members of the public as part of the Police National Network framework arrangement for data and telecommunications services, and provided the 0870 number for our use. This mutual aid capability is essential to give the police service the number of call handling positions it needs for a major incident at short notice.

Shortly after the MPS Casualty Bureau became operative on 7 July, it became apparent that not all non-UK telephony service providers were able to connect to the non-geographic 0870 number. PITO, therefore, provided, at the MPS's request, a geographic number (020 7158 0010) to sit alongside the 0870 number from the evening of Friday 8 July. This was published on the MPS website and released by our Press Office.

A working group, led by the Home Office, was established to look at the telephony arrangements for the operation of the Casualty Bureau. Hazel Blears, Minister for Policing, has agreed that the use of 0870 should be discontinued in favour of a combination of 0800 and a geographic 020 number, which will be marketed primarily for the use of overseas callers. These arrangements are already in place and will be activated in the event of another major incident requiring the opening of a Casualty Bureau.

1.2.        What are the equivalent geographical numbers?

See above in respect of the Casualty Bureau for 7 July. Casualty Bureaux do not use the same numbers for different incidents, so there is no standard number to give an equivalent for.

1.3.        What revenue do you receive per minute and in total from the use of 0870 numbers?

Neither the MPS, nor the Home Office, nor PITO has profited financially from the use of the 0870 number for the MPS Casualty Bureau.

1.4.        Are you aware of the revenue collected by your telecom provider, from your callers?

Cable and Wireless have agreed to donate their profits from the use of the 0870 number to the London Bombings Relief Fund and Hazel Blears has asked mobile phone service providers to do the same, or to waive the charge to their customers.

1.5.        Have you considered the revised COI1 guidelines?

The COI guidelines relate to the use of 0870 numbers and the provision of alternative numbers for low income earners. Since the MPS do not contract for 0870 numbers the guidelines are not applicable.

1.5.1.        If so, what conclusions did you come to?

Not applicable.

1.6.        Do you realise that all calls (local/national) cost the same?

This will depend on service provider, domestic, business, mobile, VoIP rates etc.

1.7.        Are you aware of the cost implications to your callers, when using 0870 numbers?

We have never considered contracting for 0870 numbers.
 
2.      Why do you use 0845 numbers?
              
0845 numbers are used for Recruitment and E-Crime Lines.

There are significant benefits to the MPS of 0845 numbers. For example, call restriction, use of MIS systems available for telemarketing services that allow us to 'real-time' monitor demand which in turn allows us to provide a better quality service to the public.
 
2.1.   And if so, what are the equivalent geographical numbers?
      
020 8358 0432 - Recruitment
020 7799 3939 - E-Crime

2.2.   What revenue do you receive per minute and in total from the use of 0845 numbers?
 
None - these services are owned and operated by our service partner Damovo UK Limited.
 
2.3.        Are you aware of the revenue collected by your telecom provider, from your callers?

No - these services are owned and operated by our service partner Damovo UK Limited.
 
2.4.   Have you considered the revised COI1 guidelines?
      
See 1.5 above.
 
2.4.1.        If so, what conclusions did you come to?

See 1.5.1 above.
 
2.5.   Do you realise that all calls (local/national) cost the same?
 
See 1.6 above.
 
2.6.   Do you realise that 0845 numbers now offer no cost advantage to callers, irrespective of their location, only disadvantages?

No. There can be cost advantages, depending on where the caller is calling from, what network they are on, and what price band they are on.

2.7.   Are you aware of the cost implications to your callers, when using 0845 numbers?
 
Yes.   

Cheers for that Dave.

I fancy doing a follow up, considering the amount of FOI's there getting at the moment.