THE old non-emergency Herts Police number will be discontinued at the start of next month.

The latest number for non-emergency calls to police, 101, was launched in Herts in July 2011, but the 0845 number continued to run in tandem to ensure a smooth transition.

But police are now discontinuing the latter, with the majority of non-emergency calls coming through 101 as callers get to know that number.

Head of contact management, superintendent Owen Weatherill, said: “Anyone who currently calls the 0845 number is advised the number is soon to be discontinued and then connected to the force communications room. From the beginning of April, anyone who calls the number will be asked to redial 101 instead. You will still get through to the police, the number is just easier to remember.”

Supt Weatherill also claimed since the introduction of 101, fewer people rang 999 with non-emergencies.

“Since it was launched, 101 has been a great success,” he said.

“Calls made using the 999 service for non-emergency issues have greatly reduced, meaning our call takers can respond to those in need of emergency assistance even more quickly than before.”

But he added: “However, 75 per cent of these 999 calls did not necessitate an immediate emergency response and 101 should have been called instead.

“To enable us to respond to 999 calls to Hertfordshire Constabulary as quickly as possible, and to provide the best possible service to the public, it is vital the emergency number is only called when a genuine emergency is ongoing.”