Northumbria Police urge people to think before calling 999

The Force said between January and May this year, the number of 999 calls they have received is up almost 40 per cent when compared to the same period in 2021.

This equates to a rise from around 82,000 calls to 113,000.

And this increase comes off the back of an already busy period for the Force.

In 2021, they received 269,769 calls to 999 compared to 221,496 in 2020, partly due to the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Northumbria Police also saw high numbers of calls as a result of the severe storms which hit the region. For example, during Storm Arwen they received a record 1,580 calls to 999 in just 24 hours.

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To meet the increasing demand, Northumbria Police said they are making significant investment in their systems, and are also investing in recruitment. 

Since June last year, they have recruited 65 new contact handlers, and have plans to hire an additional 60 by the end of the year.

Northumbria Police have also introduced a call-back system, so people who dial 101 don't need to wait on the phone. People can also report non-emergency incidents via their website.

On average, the Force receives 840 calls to 999 and 1,100 calls to the non-emergency 101 number every day.

Each month, they also receive thousands of calls that are actually for another service, said Assistant Chief Constable Scott Young.

He said: "In an emergency, confidently dial 999 knowing we'll be there when you need us.

"But if it's not an emergency, identify if we're the right service in the first place.

"If we are, I'd urge you to consider the other channels that we've got on offer.

"We have got digital channels where you can report a crime, an incident or information to us on our website. And if not, dial 101."

ACC Young said they are expecting a rise in calls over the Jubilee weekend.

"We encourage people to enjoy our fabulous area, but to do so safely."

To meet the increasing demand, Northumbria Police said they are making a significant investment in their systems, and are also investing in recruitment. 

Since June last year, they have recruited 65 new contact handlers, and have plans to hire an additional 60 by the end of the year.

Northumbria Police contact handler Sophia Chisholm.

Contact handler Sophia Chisholm (21) joined Northumbria Police two years ago, just as the Covid-19 pandemic was beginning.

"When I first started it was a very different environment to how it is now," said Sophia, who added she has noticed a significant increase in the number of calls she receives.

"It's constant."

People ringing because they have lost their keys are among the inappropriate calls she has dealt with.

Sophia also advised people to 'think before you ring', and to think about how they would want 999 lines freed up if one of their loved ones was in an emergency.

The latest data shows that 70 per cent of 999 calls directed to Northumbria Police are being answered within the national target of 10 seconds.

"Whatever service we deliver now we want to improve it tomorrow and in the future," said ACC Young.

Chief Superintendent Karl Wilson, who is head of Northumbria Police's control rooms, added: "We want to do our best and to answer these calls as fast as possible."