A new number for non-emergency calls was today introduced by West Yorkshire Police.

People should now call 101 to report a crime that has already happened, ask for crime prevention advice or give the police information. It replaces the old 0845 6060606 non-emergency number.

Officers said the 101 number would give people one easy way to get in touch about matters that did not need an urgent response.

Phone operators will take down details of 101 calls and, if necessary, arrange an appointment for an officer to visit.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milson, who heads the Operations Support Services Department, said: “Switching to the new non-emergency number will make West Yorkshire Police easier to remember and easier to call. All calls to 101 cost just 15p, even from a mobile and no matter how long it lasts for.

“101 will in no way replace the 999 emergency number but will instead complement it.”

The force said last year it answered an average of 1,221 999 calls every day – but one in ten of those should have either gone to another organisation or to the new 101 number.

West Yorkshire Police Authority chairman Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson said 101 was a significant move to making the police even more accessible.

He said: “It will make crime easier to report and help the police to tackle crime and disorder.

“In our consultation with local communities we know that many people have difficulty remembering the old 0845 number and the idea of a three-digit code should hopefully solve this.”

The move to 101 has the backing of all forces in England and Wales and neighbouring forces across Yorkshire and the Humber are also switching to the new number during November and December.

Anyone who calls the old 0845 number will hear a recorded message telling them to ring 101.

e-mail: james.rush@telegraphandargus.co.uk