POLICE are streamlining the way they answer calls from members of the public in a bid to improve their service.
The new 0845 4564564 number, which is already in operation, will send people directly through to a new dedicated call centre.
The call centre, which has cost in excess of £333,500, is nearing completion at Thorpe Wood police station, in Peterborough, following the conversion of a former police gym.
It is hoped the centre will help the county force deal with the high level of non-emergency calls and meet Government targets.
Last year, Cambridgeshire police received 70,000 non-999 calls. Police chiefs aim to answer 90 per cent within 12 seconds, but they have been narrowly missing this target.
The introduction of the new number will also eventually mean residents can no longer pick up a phone and call their local bobby directly on their landline.
However, police spokesman David Ward denied it would make police officers less accessible to the public.
Instead, he pledged it would actually save people time by directing them to the right person straight away.
Mr Ward said: ‘We think this will give callers a better service.And they didn’t always get to speak to the person they needed before.Now, the person who answers the phone will be able to tell them the best person to speak to. ‘
He added: ‘It will be the same as going in to a police station.You don’t go straight to the officer you speak to someone on the front desk .’
Although the 0845 4564564 number has been launched, city residents will not see major differences for some months.
They will still be able to get through to the police switchboard on the old number, which, in Peterborough’s case, is 01733 563232.
A recruitment and training drive to get skilled people into the new call centre to answer calls will not take place until into the new year.
And an advertising campaign promoting the new phone number is also some way away.
Police have not revealed the total cost of the call centre, although they have received £333,500 from the Home Office to help pay for it.
Source: Peterborough Today
2004-12-27
Notícias – Press-Releases