101 report
A valuable local emergency service could be lost after the government went back on a promise to fund it.
The 101 service is a 24-hour telephone number that diverts less urgent calls from the traditional 999 number. It can be used to report anything from crime and noisy neighbours to broken street lighting.
The service was funded by the Home Office from June 2006 until February 2008 when funding was withdrawn. A contribution from Sheffield City Council will keep the service running until March 2009, but after that date it's future is uncertain.
In a statement the Home Office said funding had been withdrawn due to competing policing and security priorities. A spokesman said “It is vital that Home Office resources are targeted where they will have the greatest impact and which will contribute most to the protection of the public and security of the country.”
101 Partnership Manager Jacqueline Bland said the scheme needed long-term funding and would be approaching the council for the £300,000 needed to keep the scheme running. She said “we work very closely with the council and the police, and come into our own because we take ownership of the problem and work out who are the best people to deal with it. We are trying to come up with a viable and affordable business plan.”
But Graves Park Councillor Peter Moore condemned the government for breaking their 2003 manifesto, which promised an emergency contact number other than 999. He said: “It’s purely down to a broken promise.” Councillor Moore, who is also on the South Yorkshire Police Authority said “The police and council recognise the service has become very important in dealing with mainly minor crime and anti-social behaviour.”
The service costs 10p per call and has taken more than 130,000 calls so far. It can receive between 150-200 calls a day. Advisors are based at the police community centre and are fully trained to deal with 999 calls as well.
Richard May, chairman of the Norton Lees Residents Association, said several members of the association had used the service, particularly on bonfire night last year when youths were throwing fireworks. He said “You get a good, friendly response. I found it a fantastic service and we’ve tried to push it as far as we could in the community.”
Councillor Bob McCann, cabinet member for housing and sustainable safer communities said it would be a travesty to lose the scheme from lack of money. He said “It’s the Labour government that’s letting South Yorkshire down. They promised to continue the scheme if the pilot was a success, and it was in Sheffield, so they have reneged on their promise. We recognise the people of Sheffield like it. It’s our job now to try to find a way of keeping it going.”
Rebekah Smith