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Source: Sunderland Echo

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/Hopes-to-set-up-new.3868295.jp

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Hopes to set up new 101 hotline
By Ross Robertson

THE axed 101 hotline set up to tackle antisocial behaviour could be brought back in Wearside as early as next month.

The popular non-emergency line went live in 2006 and answered almost 30,000 calls from people in Sunderland last year – 160,000 across the whole Northumbria Police area.

But the Government decided to cut the service's funding in November last year, and the number is due to go dead at the end of March.

The line was designed to make it easier for people to report problems like antisocial behaviour and community safety issues, with surveys showing it was a big success with users.

And the number could be saved if a partnership between Sunderland and Newcastle councils to run a similar service gets the go-ahead.

The new line would deal with problems such as noisy neighbours, litter, vandalism, abandoned vehicles and broken street lights. It would serve people living in the Sunderland and Newcastle city boundaries.

The service, which would have a new number – 0300 1000 101, could be up and running by April 1.

The plans will be discussed by senior councillors today at a meeting of Sunderland's ruling Labour cabinet, and are expected to be approved.

Sunderland council leader Bob Symonds said: "People tell us that responding quickly to antisocial behaviour, graffiti or noise nuisance is a top priority for them, so it's a top priority for the council.

"The 101 telephone service has helped thousands of people in the city.
"I was disappointed that the Home Office decided not to continue to fund the 101 service, but I am determined that, if at all possible, we will offer an alternative."

Under proposals, Sunderland council's contact centre could handle calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with running costs of about £100,000 for 2008/09, going down to £60,000 for the following financial year.

Newcastle would pay a similar amount, and costs would fall if other council's signed up to the partnership.

It is understood that Castle Morpeth council had originally been interested in the scheme.

Sunderland City Council's cabinet will meet today at 2pm in Committee Room One in Sunderland Civic Centre. The meeting is open to the public.

Last Updated: 12 March 2008 9:33 AM
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Source: Sunderland Echo

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/Call-to-save-service-is.3874031.jp

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Call to save service is heeded

The condemned 101 hotline set up to tackle antisocial behaviour has been rescued by new plans to run a similar service in Wearside.

The popular non-emergency number received almost 30,000 calls from Wearsiders last year.

But despite its success, the Government decided to cut 101's funding in November last year after similar schemes failed to take off in other parts of the country. It is due to end this month.

The line was set up in 2006 to make it easier for people to report problems with antisocial behaviour and community safety.

Now it will be taken over by a new service which will go live at the beginning of April after senior Labour councillors approved the plans at yesterday's meeting of the city's ruling cabinet.

Callers will be able to use the new service to report problems that make life unpleasant but do not need a police response.

The hotline will be run by Sunderland City Council out of its Doxford contact centre using equipment and software from the defunct 101 service, which will be acquired for free.

Sunderland Council is working in partnership with Newcastle City Council on the new service, and both authorities will share the £180,000 running costs.

It is hoped other councils in the area will join the partnership once the scheme is up and running.

Plans are now being drawn-up for a new name and number, and the 24 hour, seven-day-a-week service will be available to more than 500,000 people in Newcastle and Sunderland.

The new line – which is expected to use the number 0300 1000 101–- will normally be charged at 10p per call – and users who get free local calls from their phone providers will be able to dial for free.

Last Updated: 13 March 2008 9:48 AM
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Dave wrote on Mar 16^th, 2008 at 11:53am:

Where do they get this nonsense from?

Just called the number as a test, and its already operational! 

Source: Sunderland Echo

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/New-number-to-help-beat.3930300.jp

New number to help beat yobs

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By Ross Robertson
A new antisocial behaviour hotline will be launched today in a bid to replace the axed 101 service.
The Neighbourhood Helpline, open to more than 500,000 people, will go live at midnight tonight, allowing callers to report problems like vandalism, noise nuisance, graffiti, litter and broken street lighting.

The new hotline – 0300 1000 101 – will be run by Sunderland City Council from its Moorside contact centre using equipment and software left behind by the 101 service, which goes dead at the end of today.

Newcastle council will be helping to foot the £200,000 bill as part of a partnership which will allow its residents to access the service.

[...]

Northumbria 101 was launched two years ago to deal with non-urgent incidents and proved successful, with 30,000 calls from people in Sunderland last year alone, and 160,000 across the whole Northumbria Police area.

But research showed that nationally the services had not led to a reduction in 999 calls, and the Home Office announced it was to withdraw funding.

After the announcement senior councillors said they would look into what could be done to offer a replacement service, and this month plans to introduce a new non-emergency line in partnership with Newcastle were approved by Sunderland's ruling cabinet.

It is hoped more councils in the area will sign up to the scheme once it is up and running, which will reduce costs even further.

[...]
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