MSP and Local Police back calls for Non-Emergency Police Number

30/10/07

At a meeting of the Justice Committee in the Scottish Parliament today, Councillor Iain Whyte of Lothian and Borders Police Joint Board confirmed that the introduction of a non-emergency police number would have a beneficial impact on local police. Councillor Whyte was responding to a question from Committee Member and Edinburgh West MSP Margaret Smith, who has been backing calls for a non-emergency number, an initiative also recommended by an Audit Scotland review of Police Call Management in Scotland published earlier this year, and supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

Commenting, Ms Smith said: “I’m pleased that Councillor Whyte feels that this would be a welcome move. Nearly half of all 999 calls made are for non-emergencies and people are obviously unsure when they should use this number. It is clear that the introduction of a non-emergency number and work to raise awareness of the correct use of the 999 would have a beneficial impact on the ability of local police forces to do their jobs. This initiative has a great deal of support from the police forces themselves both locally and across the country.

“I have been calling on the Scottish Government to assist the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland in developing a non-emergency number and as well as raising this issue at today’s Justice Committee I have also tabled Parliamentary Questions asking the Scottish Government what action they intend to take to support the Police in relation to this important issue.”

Read all of Margaret’s contribution to the Justice Committee