June 7, 2012 -- Members of the new North Joint Police Board are worried that the introduction of a single number for non-emergency police calls could lead to fewer people calling the service.

They were concerned that people prefer to call their local police service and would be put off by being asked to use a number that could be handled at a call centre – possibly in the central belt – where the call handlers may not recognise place names in the Highlands and islands.

Their comments followed a presentation by Deputy Chief Constable Andy Cowie at the first meeting of the board since the Highland Council elections last month, held in Inverness yesterday.

Posted by Veronica Silva Cusi, news correspondent
Source: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/article.aspx/2800975