PEOPLE who want to ring the police in Worcestershire for non-emergencies will soon find their phone bills are cheaper.

Police forces across the UK are to have phone numbers starting with 03, instead of 0845. The new numbers, unlike the ones starting with 0845, will cost no more to call than normal landline numbers which begin with 01 and 02 from all landline and mobile providers.

Chief Supt John Jones, head of contact management and service quality for West Mercia Constabulary, said: “In response to concerns raised by our public we have reviewed the force’s non-emergency number and are actively working with our telephone suppliers to introduce a new number before the end of the year. The new number will charge users at local call rates whether they call from a landline or a mobile phone.”

He added: “West Mercia Constabulary is committed to delivering a high quality service to all those living and working in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Worcestershire. The force continually reviews its working practices to ensure the public receives the best possible service from the first moment they contact the police.

“We are responsive to the views of our customers and this is a good example of where we have listened and will make a significant change because it will make a difference to people using our service.”

He added the decision to centralise the handling of all emergency and non-emergency calls was taken in 2001 following an extensive review into the way the force handled calls from the public.

During 2006/2007, West Mercia Constabulary received 1,129,402 non-emergency calls from across the force area.