Police Non Emergency Number – UK Guide to 101 and How to Use It

Knowing how to reach the police when there is no immediate danger can save time and reduce pressure on emergency services. Across the United Kingdom, one number serves as the official non-emergency contact for all police forces: 101. This guide explains what 101 is used for, how it differs from 999, and which alternative contact methods are available in different regions.

What is the police non emergency number in the UK?

The police non-emergency number in the UK is 101. It is a single national number that works across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. You call 101 to report crimes that are not emergencies, provide information to the police, or make general enquiries.

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls are recorded and cost 15p per call from landlines and mobiles, though some mobile plans include 101 in free minutes.

Key facts about 101

• 101 is the single non-emergency number across all UK police forces.
• It is intended for reporting crimes that are not urgent, anti-social behaviour, traffic incidents, and passing on information.
• 999 remains the only number for emergencies where someone is in immediate danger or a crime is in progress.
• Online reporting is available on most force websites and through report.police.uk.
• For people with hearing or speech impairments, a textphone service is available on 18001 101.
• Many users mistakenly believe 111 is a police number; it is actually the NHS non-emergency medical line.
• Some forces now offer live chat or WhatsApp for non-urgent contact, but these are not national services.

What is the police non emergency number near London and Manchester?

The same national number applies regardless of where you are in the UK. Whether you are in London, Manchester, or any other city, the non-emergency number remains 101. There is no separate local number for individual cities.

Using 101 in London

The Metropolitan Police Service, which covers London, directs residents and visitors to call 101 for non-emergency enquiries. The Met also offers an online contact form on its official website. In an emergency, the number to call is 999. The national guidance from GOV.UK and the Met Police is consistent: 101 for non-urgent matters, 999 when immediate help is needed.

Using 101 in Manchester

Greater Manchester Police follows the same national framework. The non-emergency number is 101, and the emergency number is 999. Residents can also report certain crimes online through the Greater Manchester Police website. As with all UK forces, 101 connects to the local police team handling the area where the call originates.

Can I use 101 police live chat or WhatsApp to contact the police?

Digital contact methods are expanding, but they are not yet available from every police force. Live chat and WhatsApp are offered by some forces as supplementary channels for non-urgent reporting, but they do not replace 101 or 999.

Live chat availability

Live chat is not a national service. Only specific forces offer it, and it is typically available only when staff are online. West Yorkshire Police, for example, offers live chat but states it is not a 24/7 service and should not be used for emergencies. Other forces, such as Northumbria Police, have trialled live chat for non-urgent reports. Always check the force’s official website to see if live chat is available in your area.

WhatsApp contact

WhatsApp is not listed on GOV.UK as a standard method for contacting the police. Some forces, including West Midlands Police, have introduced WhatsApp numbers for non-urgent reporting, but these are force-specific and subject to change. If you wish to use WhatsApp, confirm the correct number on the force’s official website. There is no national WhatsApp number for the police.

What is the difference between 101, 999, and 111?

Confusion between these three numbers is common, but each serves a distinct purpose. 101 is for non-emergency police contact, 999 is for emergencies requiring immediate police attendance, and 111 is the NHS non-emergency medical helpline — not a police number at all.

When to call 101 instead of 999

Call 101 when a crime has already happened and there is no immediate danger, when you want to report anti-social behaviour, or when you need to give the police information about an ongoing issue. Call 999 when a crime is happening right now, someone is injured or in danger, or urgent police assistance is required.

Why 111 is not a police number

The number 111 is operated by the National Health Service for non-emergency medical advice and triage. It is not connected to any police service. If you need police assistance and it is not an emergency, the number to dial is 101. If you need medical help but it is not life-threatening, 111 is the correct number. The two services are entirely separate.

How has the non-emergency number evolved over time?

The 101 service was introduced to relieve pressure on the 999 emergency system, which was handling a growing volume of non-urgent calls. The following timeline shows the key milestones in the rollout of 101 across the UK.

1. 2006 — 101 pilot launched in Cardiff and Hampshire to test the concept of a dedicated non-emergency line.
2. 2010 — Following a successful pilot, 101 was rolled out nationally across England and Wales.
3. 2012 — Scotland adopted 101 as its non-emergency number for Police Scotland.
4. 2014 — Northern Ireland introduced 101 for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
5. 2020 — Some forces began introducing online live chat and WhatsApp options as digital alternatives to 101 calls.

The timeline shows that while 101 itself is well established, the way people can contact the police for non-emergency matters continues to develop at different paces across different forces.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about contacting the police?

Why was 101 introduced?

The 101 number was created to reduce the burden on 999, which was receiving a significant number of non-urgent calls. By providing a dedicated number for non-emergency police contact, the system allows emergency operators to focus on situations where lives are at risk. Despite public awareness campaigns, many people still confuse 101 with 111 or 112, leading to misdirected calls. Regional differences also exist: some forces now prioritise online reporting over phone calls, and the growth of digital contact methods such as live chat and WhatsApp is gradually changing how the public interacts with the police for non-urgent matters.

What do official sources say about contacting the police?

“Call 101 for non-emergency enquiries. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.”

— police.uk, official UK police contact page

“Reporting non-emergencies. Report crimes online or by calling 101 if they are not an emergency.”

— GOV.UK, UK Government guidance on contacting the police

“Call 101 for non-emergency enquiries.”

— Metropolitan Police Service, official London police contact page

All three sources — police.uk, GOV.UK, and the Met Police — are consistent: 101 is the number for non-emergency police contact across the UK. Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland give the same guidance for their jurisdictions.

What is the key takeaway about the police non-emergency number?

The UK police non-emergency number is 101. It is the same across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and it operates 24 hours a day. For emergencies, the number to call is 999. While digital options such as live chat and WhatsApp are becoming available in some areas, they are not yet universal and should never be used for urgent situations. Knowing the difference between 101, 999, and 111 ensures you reach the right service quickly. For more comparative information on UK public services, you may also find the guide on PIP DLA Attendance Allowance Rates – Compare Benefits 2024/2025 helpful, along with the explanation of the National Living Wage 2025: UK & Ireland Rates Explained.

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