The 101 service, run by Leicestershire Police, Leicester City Council and other local authorities, enables people to call the number at any time of the day or night and speak to a specialist adviser. Help is available on matters including noise nuisance, graffiti, fly tipping and vandalism. The majority of calls relate to problems of drunken behaviour and noise disturbance.
Through publicity and the support of organisations such as the Neighbourhood Watch Association and tenants associations, awareness of 101 is high; a recent MORI survey showed that 59% of people in Leicester and Rutland had heard of 101. More that 90% of callers are happy with the service.
Councillor Mary Draycott, deputy leader of the council and cabinet lead on front line service improvement and neighbourhoods, said:
"August was the busiest month so far for 101 and shows how the service is developing and is in demand. Many of the callers don't know who else to ring to get help with anti-social behaviour and find 101 is a simple way to get the support they need from the police and council.
"It has also led to long term changes in services including an extended noise control service highlighted by the significant number of noise problems that were being reported to 101."
Information generated by calls to 101 is analysed so that the police and council can identify and work on problem hotspots. Work over the past year has included a clean up, increased youth work and increased security in Bronte Close in Braunstone.
Jo Adams, of the National Crime Reduction Agency (Narco), has long been involved in trying to reduce the problems on Bronte Close. She told us:
"101 has provided us with data so we can direct services to the right areas. It provides a fantastic service that is quick and efficient and the call handlers know what they're talking about."
The 101 service is funded by the Home Office and is being piloted in five areas in the country. It is currently being evaluated by the Home Office and a decision on its future funding is due this autumn.
Mike Goodwin, Assistant Chief Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary, said:
"When we launched 101, we knew the service was a great idea but it has far exceeded our expectations. The service has transformed the way the police works with councils to tackle anti-social behaviour and this is reflected in the very high percentage of callers who are happy with 101."
"101 not only gives easier 24/7 access for the public to report anti-social behaviour - it also provides police and local authorities with in-depth intelligence on where and when anti-social behaviour is happening so we can take measures to prevent it recurring. This is proving highly effective in resolving problems for the benefit of local people."
"The past year has proved 101 is a valuable local service and we sincerely
hope that the Home Office will continue to fund it. This will help us to ensure that 101 is extended across the whole of Leicestershire and more people and communities will be able to benefit from the service."
Calls to 101 cost 10p from landlines and mobiles. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
