101 CALLS ARE NOW FREE

Calls to the police non-emergency 101 number are now free of charge following a public campaign. The move was announced by the Home Office and comes as police forces across the UK prepare for the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. Previously, people who used the non-emergency police number were charged 15p per call. From April 1st the Home Office will cover the £7m per year it costs to fund the service. Welcoming the move, Derbyshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa said: "This is a positive development and ensures victims of crime including the most vulnerable in our communities will no longer have to pay for reporting crime or information.”