When to call 999
When to call 999
Leicestershire Constabulary is asking people to think carefully before they dial 999 as trivial calls could potentially put lives at risk in a genuine emergency.
In spite of regular appeals, time-wasters in Leicestershire have made inappropriate 999 calls with requests for telephone numbers, travel directions and other non-urgent enquiries.
Of the 131,372 calls received from April 2005 to March 2006, in the region of 33,000 calls were deemed to be an inappropriate use of the 999 system.
Our call takers will deal with those genuine calls that need a police response but some people call 999 when they don't actually need the police or when the situation is not a genuine emergency.
Every minute spent speaking to a caller with a non-urgent enquity jeopardises immediate responses to genuine emergencies, so please think before you dial.
You should only ring the 999 system if
- There is a direct and immediate threat to life / limb or to property.
- Prompt attendance is required to catch suspects in the act of committing a crime or have just committed the crime and are in the vicinity.
Please do not use the 999 system to report general nuisance or antisocial behaviour e.g. noisy neighbours or an abandoned car.
You can contact Leicestershire Constabulary on Leicester (0116) 222 2222 for every other non-emergency situation - for example where no immediate police response is required or does not require police attendance at all.
If you have information about crime in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, you can contact us on Leicester (0116) 222 2222 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous on 0800 555 111.
Please check any correspondence you may have received from Leicestershire Constabulary as this will often include a telephone extension number to assist with swift and direct contact with the right people to assist with your enquiry.
If you know the identification (collar) number of a particular officer, you can use our voice messaging system to leave them a message. Telephone Leicester (0116) 222 2222 - follow the instructions and when prompted, enter the officer's identification number to leave a message.