Dave wrote on Oct 15^th, 2009 at 10:24am:


This number has also been published for quite some time as a working geographical alternative for West Midlands Police at www.crimestoppers.org.uk ;  Do we by any chance know who is behind this website Dave give your own longstanding particular interest in the Police 0845 number misuse issue?

Dave wrote on Oct 15^th, 2009 at 10:55am:


I was beginning to wonder exactly how you might know where www.crimestoppers.org.uk got their numbers from Dave.

Although after reading all the "Brown Must Go!" comments on their various website banners I feel sure it must be a friend of yours and not you as I don't recall you being in any way a died in the wool Tory voter.  Or am I thinking of Derrick who simply hates all politicians of any possible colour.

Dave wrote on Oct 15^th, 2009 at 10:24am:



That is because non of these bodies have the b**ls or the authority to do anything but offer "guidance", which is then completeley ignored, because no one can/will do anything to stop them!

Source: "Humberside" Police

http://www.humberside.police.uk/assets/files/116

<<

Minutes of Chief Officer Group
0930 hours Wednesday 4 March 2009
Chief Officers’ Conference Room

[…]

1. Presentation – 0845 v 03XX v 0800 – Considerations and Issues

1.1 Mr Maughan spoke of a number of significant issues associated with the above and the paper he had submitted. A lengthy discussion then took place around the various considerations which resulted in all four recommendations being accepted which reflect the Ofcom guidance on contact numbers for public services. These were as follows:

a) The introduction of an 0800 number should be discounted on the grounds of cost to the Force and callers from mobile telephones.
b) The introduction of the 0345 60 60 222 also be discounted on the grounds that if the 0845 60 60 222 number is difficult to remember, then it is likely the equivalent 0345 number will also be difficult to remember.
c) The introduction of a suitable 0300, 0303, 0306 as a direct replacement to the existing 0845 6060222 non-emergency number.
d) The introduction of any new number be managed through the Citizen Focus work streams, utilise a focus group to assist in the selection of the number and incorporate a significant marketing campaign.

1.2 Mr Maughan was thanked by the Chair for his presentation and work in this area.

[…]

>>

Dave, am confused, do they mean that, having rejected the 0345 as too difficult to remember, they still intend to introduce some kind of 03 but not an 0345?  If so, why can't they say so??!!   Are they mad or just trying to be so obscure the public won't understand what they are doing?   (Rhetorical questions I know but had to make the point.)

Thanks, Dave, but how do they think other police forces using 0345 manage?   The old local police station numbers (oh come back those days, all is forgiven) were not necessarily memorable but that was never considered an issue.  Also, weren't Humberside the lot that have seriously mismanaged a number of CRB/child protection matters/checks in recent years (I will be no more specific)?   Could it be that their use of language is so confused as to be obscure?!

Dave wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2009 at 7:36pm:



Damn right it is!


I refuse to acknowledge the word.  It is now obsolete.  I never asked for it.  I don't want it.

And I do not live on the side of a river  

A year after launching its 0300 non-emergency number, West Mercia Police has revealed that over 70% of calls that it received in October were to the new number. To promote it further, it is advertising on the side of 40 buses in the area:

http://www.westmercia.police.uk/news/news-articles/bus-adverts-to-promote-0300-3...

http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/4774652.Buses_have_police_s_number/