saynonto0871 wrote on Mar 8^th, 2006 at 8:22pm:


I suggest they are getting the annual contract on the cheap or getting a switchboard or phone line rental free.  That's the normal setup with these 0845 schemed.

Try an FOI although uk Police forces are often notoriously devious at giving straight answers.  Police are subject to the FOI in all respects.

saynonto0871 wrote on Mar 8^th, 2006 at 8:31pm:


Of course it is as bad.  It is extra taxation by the back door which is what New Labour does everywhere and through the massive Council Tax rises here in the South.

Try an FOI.  My FOI to the City of London Police about their hidden SPECS speed camera trap on Tower Bridge was very successful and led to an article in the Evening Standard.

saynonto0871 wrote on Mar 8^th, 2006 at 8:56pm:


You are on the right lines.

Ask for telecoms supplier, cost of annual contract, whether there is an alternative geographic phone number for overseas and mobile phone callers, whether they were quoted other prices for use of other phone number alternatives eg geographic via voip and 0800 and what those other prices were, whether there is any revenue share from the contract supplier direct to Police.  Also whether additional cost of calls by general public using BT Options 2 and 3 or from mobiles or overseas were considered.  Also whether impossibility of accessing at all from overseas (well known as a problem with 0845) was considered.

Make sure to address your query to the Freedom of Information Officer:- foi@northants.pnn.police.uk

Or see their online FOI request website:- www.northants.police.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=1877