Make sure it’s an emergency, say police

Beds Police say people should now dial 101 to report some crimes, which also include stolen vehicles or damaged property.

The force is currently receiving 10 per cent of non-emergency calls on the new number, which was launched in September.

A spokesman said: “All calls to Beds Police are taken seriously. These calls aren’t treated any differently but people are urged to use the 101 number so that 999 can be used where there is an immediate need.”

Chief Insp Jim Lunn said the force received around 1,300 calls a day, only a small percentage of which were to emergencies.

He said: “A real emergency is when a crime is happening, when someone suspected of a crime is nearby or where someone is injured, being threatened or in danger.”