THE number to call Dorset Police for non-emergency matters is changing.

From Monday September 19 the non-emergency number for calls to Dorset Police will be 101.

This will replace the original 01305 222222 number.

The new number will be phased in across the whole of the UK by the end of January 2012 to make it easier for people to call the police.

Currently calls to Dorset Police are charged at the standard local network rate per minute, about 6p. Using the new 101 number will cost a flat rate of 15p from either landlines or mobiles and callers will not be charged more than this regardless of the time spent on the phone.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said that people should call 101 if they want to give the police information about a crime in the area, to give information about a general enquiry, if their car has been stolen, if their property has been damaged, to report minor road traffic accidents or to report drug use or dealing in the area.

Chief Superintendent Colin Searle said: “The new 101 non-emergency telephone number is easy to remember and will be available for use across the entire country early next year.

“By the end of January 2012 a member of the public will be able to dial 101 to contact the police no matter what force area they are calling from in England or Wales.

“This will make contacting the police to discuss non-urgent issues easier and much more straight forward.”

For emergency calls people should always dial 999 and ask for the police.