Interesting,

so it's going up in cost, as it is extended to more forces?

However it's a fixed cost per call service?

According to this government web site

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Reportingcrimeandantisocialbeh...


Calls to 101 from standard BT lines cost 10p for the entire call. The cost of calls to 101 from other networks and mobiles may vary. Check with your telephone company for details.

Our local GP surgery still uses 01x numbers and seems pretty well managed, so there's (fortunately) no need to write or email them.

As for the 101-number - so it maybe 15p per call rather than 10, well whoopie-doo-dah. A modest fixed-fee per call with the same number nationally, is a MAJOR step forward from the status quo IMO - so I certainly won't be writing to complain about this.

If, and this has to be established when the changes are formally announced, the rate of 15p per call is what is necessary to ensure that ALL callers pay the same and that this only covers the reasonable charge imposed by the telephone companies for making the connection, not any of the costs of the Police service call centres, then I would think it proper. The change from 10p to 15p will be a sensitive issue for those areas where the number is already in use at the rate of 10p per call. (This sadly takes us back to the whole project having been badly handled initially. Local independence and national plans do not easily co-exist. Look out for what will happen with 111!)

The rate charged to the caller and by the telephone companies is not a matter for Ofcom. The relevant bodies are the Home Office and ACPO representing the English Police services / forces / constabularies.

Some would argue that the money that could be spent on enabling all callers to make non-emergency calls at no cost to themselves is better spent on other aspects of Police work. It is quite fair for others to argue the alternative position, suggesting that free non-emergency calls should be a spending priority.

This should NOT be conflated with the total impropriety of using 084 numbers for contact with public bodies. Furthermore, the particular arguments that apply to this case should not be extended to cover telephone contact with public service bodies in general. Use of 01 / 02 / 03 numbers, charged at the applicable Geographic Rate, is perfectly acceptable for most cases. This is a particular case because the additional costs associated with use of a single three digit number are thought to be worthwhile and other special considerations apply, mainly due to the association with the 999 service.


I trust that appropriate arrangements will be made for handling calls from overseas, as well as those to specific incident rooms and to local services remote from the caller. We await details of these arrangements being revealed and discussed when final plans are in place and the changes are formally announced. Those who are seriously concerned that these may have been overlooked should make the appropriate representations now, whilst there is still time to get it right, unless they would rather moan later.

idb wrote on May 4^th, 2011 at 2:49pm:

I would clearly not be appropriate for a single 01/02/03 alternative with the same features and facilities of 101 to be provided. I would be see this as being an improper expense, given the decision that has been made about how the service should be provided and funded.

I was referring to calls to 101 being re-directed to another area when necessary, after being answered local to the caller, and special numbers being provided for specific purposes with the appropriate capacity and facilities.

We await confirmation about exactly what a 15p charge per call means, however let us assume for a moment that it is as I described above. One is entitled to disagree with the decision that all callers should make an equal contribution to the cost of calls being connected to the service. The moral justification for evading the charge by misusing another published number is however far weaker here than in cases where, for example, a 0845 number is presented for access to a public service.

I can imagine many particular cases where telephone access to the Police may be required from overseas. These would however mostly be in relation to matters which had arisen whilst the caller was in the UK, when they should have been provided with specific contact details (including a telephone number where telephone contact was appropriate). Matters which arise overseas that may involve the UK Police should also involve the local Police, as the primary point of contact.

I referred to "incident rooms" with dedicated numbers, as this could be relevant to one situation where someone currently overseas needs to make swift telephone contact with the UK Police. If there is a strong argument for why the 101 service should be accessible from overseas, I would be very keen to hear it. I would not see the availability of an alternative number for the benefit of those who wish to avoid the 15p per call charge as sufficient justification!

It should also be noted that Police Services would (rightly) be expected to deploy staff dedicated to answering general telephone enquiries ONLY in the call centres handling 101 calls. This is doubtless part of the "back office" cost saving which lies behind the decision to adopt 101.

4PetesSake wrote on May 7^th, 2011 at 1:43pm:

This is a good question and the police need to be open if the 101 plan is to ever succeed.

If the flat 'per call' charge is simply so that everyone pays the same and that there isn't anything left over for the police, telephone companies or any other party to benefit, then this must be explained. Has any information on this programme come been made public yet?

Such a need for a level charge comes about as a result of the diverse call charges available today.

It stands to reason that if 101 is to be billed the same as a normal geographic call and capped at 15 pence per call, then there will be a shortfall, particularly for calls from pay as you go mobiles. This will need to be met either by the originating telcos or paid for by the police (and ultimately taxpayers).

---

I remain to be convinced that 101 at 15 pence per call (or even 10 pence per call) will work in practice. I think that it may well be seen as a rip-off.

If it does come to fruition though, then the charge may need to be changed in the future should telephone charges/packages change in the future.

Heinz wrote on May 7^th, 2011 at 6:22pm:


My council tax has been frozen this year and the Police are having to make savings in other areas in order to pay for their 101 number. Threrefore I am not paying any extra. 

4PetesSake wrote on May 7^th, 2011 at 1:43pm:


Not all forces you can't. Avon & Somerset being a case in point.

4PetesSake wrote on May 7^th, 2011 at 1:43pm:


I've no problem with a 10/15p fixed-price call given all the peripheral benefits of a national-number.. seems like penny-pinching to me. But I certainly wouldn't call Plod on an 0845 - indeed "contact us" is the way to go. The only problem will ever come, if what you need to call them about isn't an emergency but is time critical. Oh well - they should have thought of that before having an 0845 number.