PEOPLE in Hampshire are being reminded to continue to use the 101 phone service to report anti-social behaviour.

Tens of thousands of people have used the Single Non-Emergency Number (SNEN) to report incidents, including fly-tipping, noise nuisance and abandoned vehicles, since its launch in the county and Isle of Wight in May this year.

And Hampshire Constabulary believes that if residents continue to use the service in large numbers, lessons can be learnt and used to make the further roll out a smooth and efficient transition for other areas of England and Wales.

Superintendent Nigel Hindle, manager of the 101 service, said: "There has been some comment in both local and national media that the recent decision to delay the roll out of 101 until a review in the autumn of 2007 will lead to the end of the 101 service.

"It is important that the residents of Hampshire and Isle of Wight know that 101 continues to thrive, and the number should be used for all non-emergency anti-social behaviour issues.

"As a positive example, on the night of Hallowe'en over 1,000 calls were received.

"This relieved the 999 service to deal with emergencies, and allowed customers to receive an effective joint service from the police and all local authorities.

"Calls to 101 cost a flat rate of 10 pence (both mobile and land line telephones) and 90 per cent are answered within 30 seconds.

"Staff receiving these calls have direct access to both the police control room and all local authority departments such as those dealing with environmental health and noise issues."

Hampshire Constabulary's Deputy Chief Constable, Ian Readhead, said: "101 has produced significant benefit to our communities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as well as evidencing that local government and the police work well as partners.

"Jointly, we are in the business of making it as easy as possible for the public to access services that have such a significant impact on their safety and quality of life.

"101 has shown it can do just that, from street lighting, graffiti, anti-social behaviour and fly tipping, our residents can simply alert us and hold us to account against clear performance standards.

"Our hope is that the future evaluation of the service is sufficient to convince that the 101 service should be extended across the rest of the country."