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101 - Still Open for Business
Sheffield's successful 101 non-emergency service today assures residents that it is still open for business as usual - despite last week's very disappointing Home Office decision to withdraw funding from March next year.
Sheffield's successful 101 non-emergency service today assures residents that it is still open for business as usual - despite last week's very disappointing Home Office decision to withdraw funding from March next year.
The Sheffield 101 scheme, set up with four others across England and Wales as a pilot 18 months ago, has now taken over 85,000 calls - the equivalent of one person in six of Sheffield's population using the service. The non-emergency reporting line continues to be a valuable lifeline to thousands of residents who have experienced anti-social and nuisance behaviour in their neighbourhoods.
South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield City Council work in partnership to operate the 101 hotline, and both organisations now face a very difficult period in assessing the options available to them.
Jacqueline Bland, 101 Project Manager, said, "We want residents to understand that the 101 team is still ready, willing and able to take calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week from people who need to report anti-social behaviour or community safety problems in their neighbourhoods.
"The Home Office recognises that 101 has been a great success in Sheffield and we want to reassure the city's people that we are exploring the options open to us, but the Home Office decision to cut funding from March 2008 is a real blow.
"In the meantime, the service is operating as normal, and our highly trained call advisors continue to provide the high level of service for the benefit of the people of Sheffield. Whatever happens in the future, South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield City Council are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and we will ensure that the lessons we have learned from the work we do in partnership continue to inform our approach to improving community safety."
101 is the number to call when reporting:
* Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property
* Noisy Neighbours
* Intimidation and harassment
* Abandoned vehicles
* rubbish and litter
* Drunk or rowdy groups in public places
* Drug-related anti-social behaviour
* Broken street lighting
