Police call charge scrapped
THE 15p charge for using Cheshire police’s 101 number has been scrapped.
It was waived for most phone users from last Wednesday, April 1, after the Home Office committed to investing £7m a year to fund the connection costs.
However, users of some companies still faced the possibility they would be charged up until July 1.
The Home Office is to urge those firms to refund their customers.
David Keane, Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner, said he and his fellow commissioners had been calling for the Government to waive the 15p connection charge.
Broadsheet newspaper The Daily Telegraph said it had been running a campaign on the issue also.
Commissioner Keane said: “The charges that were in place to call 101 were creating barriers for some vulnerable people in our communities to access the vital service.
“No one should be charged for reporting crime or passing on intelligence to police so I’m welcoming the removal of this charge.
“It’s more important than ever that we’re connected with our communities and that our police service is accessible.
“However, I would like to remind people to only call 101 when it’s absolutely necessary
– to report a crime or request an update on something they have previously reported – and to always call 999 in an emergency.
“With the current coronavirus crisis, Cheshire police is seeing its helplines under increasing pressure so I’d also urge those who can to report issues online – the Cheshire police website now has an easy to use reporting feature.”
The waiving of 101 fees also coincides with the commissioner’s investment into Cheshire Constabulary’s force control room.
Funding from this year’s budget will be used to provide an improved service for callers to 999 or 101.
“We know there has been pressure on the 101 service for some time with an increased amount of callers using the service which has resulted in longer wait times.
“This investment will allow us to recruit more staff to increase resources in the force control room and provide a more positive experience for callers.”