Use of new 101 police number highest in Tayside

THE people of Tayside are leading Scotland in switching to the new 101 number for non-emergency calls, it was revealed today.

The new number was officially launched two weeks ago by Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick and Kenny MacAskill, the Justice Secretary.

A spokesman for Tayside Police said “Since its launch, Tayside Police is currently receiving approximately 46 per cent of all non-emergency calls via the 101 service, the best public response in the Scotland. The success of the service launch in Tayside is attributed to promoting the use of 101 at the front of our old contact numbers and the subsequent decommissioning process which is now underway, as well as marketing and publicity of the new number.”

Louise Fraser, the force communications centre business manager, said : ‘This is excellent news and helps to show the potential of the new 101 service. Its introduction is saving money but most importantly it is easy to remember and use. I have been really impressed by the way people in Tayside have made the change.”