101 - whats the point?

[numtumfutunch]

As above

I want to report some low/medium level criminality and assumed 101 was the way to go
It doesnt warrant 999 but in my opinion needs police attention

After waiting on hold for 30 mins yesterday afternoon I gave up, similarly half an hour late evening was futile and I tried again mid morning today and once again gave up at 30 mins.

I know the Police are short staffed and underfunded but is my experience typical? It isnt exactly a one off
If so is there any point to 101 or is it just a box ticking exercise

Thanks for listening, Im now off to the Daily Mail to provoke some proper bile

Cheers

[Jakeztx]

I rang about 3 weeks ago when I woke up to the Moo's of a few escaped Cows filling the road outside my house.

Was put straight through, not on hold for even a moment, and was told I was the third person to have reported it and the farmer had already been contacted...

My only experience though!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Had 2 perfect experiences ringing 101. I guess it's like everything in life though, sometimes there's a problem.

[petsco]

we've been told by the parish council to call crimestoppers instead. They were told this by the local neighbourhood policing team

get through a lot quicker....

[anonymous-user]

101 is to help stop inappropriate 999 calls.

As the OP has found, wait times can be very long.

Call handlers have been cut inline with other support services, so that's what we have now.

[SamR380]

If the 101 wait time is high, the recorded crime rate falls.
Therefore, we can cut police numbers and 101 operators. Then the crime rate falls further.
Therefore, we can cut police numbers and 101 operators. Then the crime rate falls further.
Therefore, we can cut police numbers and 101 operators. Then the crime stops.
Therefore, we can cancel the police.

I think the government are employing similar methods to healthcare and education, they'll have the deficit sorted in no time.

[anonymous-user]

That’s a plan that’s failing rather badly given the large increases in recorded crime over the same time period as the reductions.

[iDrive]

Unsurprisingly there is discussion about why Police provide a non-emergency number outside of "regular" hours (0700-2300?) - If it's not urgent, call it in later or report on-line or via an automated service, if it is, call 999.

Govt are under-funding the Police and its local forces that take the stick.

I don't blame the Police or the PCCs, tbh I don't blame the Govt, its the numpties that keep voting for them....

[xx99xx]

I've used 101 a few times and have always got straight through. Whether they followed up on the issues I reported is another matter as they weren't things I was hanging around for, waiting for the police. Guess it depends on how busy they are as to your success in getting a response.

[LosingGrip]

A lot of forces you can do it online now. Send a quick email and no need to sit on hold .

[HughiusMaximus]

I called once with an issue (spotted what looked like a stolen car abandoned near where I lived)

I called from work, and after waiting for 30 minutes to talk to someone was told that the crime I was reporting was in Bristol and that I had crossed the boundary to the Gloucestesrshire 101 call centre.

When the person asked that I ring again when I got home so that I was in the correct area I politely said that as far as I was concerned I had reported it to the authorities.. if they were unable / unwilling to do anything with it that was their choice...

[R0G]

101 is useful if you do not know the old local number but 101 costs to make the call as it is not included in phone packages

I call 0116 2222222 if I need my local Leicester police as that costs me no extra

[skilly1]

I find ‭0118999881999119‬ easier to remember, you just need to know the jingle !

[Shappers24]

Our local neighbourhood teams has given us an email address to email instead of waiting on 101.

[LosingGrip]

skilly1 said:

I find ?0118999881999119? easier to remember, you just need to know the jingle !

Love the IT Crowd!

[Alucidnation]

Never had a problem with 101.

[oyster]

HughiusMaximus said:

I called once with an issue (spotted what looked like a stolen car abandoned near where I lived)

I called from work, and after waiting for 30 minutes to talk to someone was told that the crime I was reporting was in Bristol and that I had crossed the boundary to the Gloucestesrshire 101 call centre.

When the person asked that I ring again when I got home so that I was in the correct area I politely said that as far as I was concerned I had reported it to the authorities.. if they were unable / unwilling to do anything with it that was their choice...

I've called 101 once. I was on a train and crossed from Kent into the Met zone.
Not only did the Met operator respond in about 10 seconds, they transferred me on the line to Kent, who responded in about 4 seconds.

Basically the opposite experience of you.

[pavarotti1980]

HughiusMaximus said:

I called once with an issue (spotted what looked like a stolen car abandoned near where I lived)

I called from work, and after waiting for 30 minutes to talk to someone was told that the crime I was reporting was in Bristol and that I had crossed the boundary to the Gloucestesrshire 101 call centre.

When the person asked that I ring again when I got home so that I was in the correct area I politely said that as far as I was concerned I had reported it to the authorities.. if they were unable / unwilling to do anything with it that was their choice...

When you ring 101 they confirm (automated message) which force they are transferring you to. if you would prefer a different force you have to select option.

[HantsRat]

skilly1 said:

I find ?0118999881999119? easier to remember, you just need to know the jingle !

Close... Actual number is

0118999881999119725 3

[grumpy52]

I have called 101 in kent a couple of times and been transfered straight to control rooms as the initial police operator deemed it more serious than I did .
The joys of very early (2-4am)
starts as a trucker and finding vehicles, people or animals in unusual situations .