101 AND 999 CAMPAIGN

Around 2.8 million 101 non-emergency calls are made every year in Scotland, while just under half a million emergency calls are placed via 999. Most of those calls are made appropriately but some are not, for examples:

• A woman calling 999 to report her snowman had been stolen

• A man calling to say he had been given a ‘dirty look’ by his neighbour

• A woman dialled 101 reporting a large spider in her house and asking the Police to help as she couldn’t sleep

Although these calls may seem amusing, they are taking a call handler away from what could be an important 999 call and a member of the public who may need urgent assistance.

Chief Superintendent Roddy Newbigging, Divisional Commander of Police Scotland’s Contact Command and Control Division said: “Our message is simple - if it’s an emergency call 999. In a non emergency situation, dial 101.”

101 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be used from anywhere in Scotland to contact Police Scotland or any other force in the UK.