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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect a call to the police on the non emergency number 101 to be free?

87 replies

Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 15:21

Just received my mobile phone bill. It was 30p more than the fixed price for my bundle. I was charged 15p for 2 calls to 101 I made when I called in a horse on the loose, then again to report it was no longer a danger after another responsible member of the public stopped their car to deal with it? It was dark, on a county lane and icy, I considered it a danger to traffic so thought I'd better report it.

WIBU next time to ring 999 or just not bother? Shouldn't Vodafone and the police advertise the fact that you have to pay for these calls?

OP posts:
redandwhite1 · 08/02/2017 22:34

I'm aware they aren't free as they do say when you call the fixed cost it will charge

Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 23:00

If you need to contact the police then look up the direct number

Which is fine if you know you are going to be charged in the first place!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 23:02

They didn't tell me I would be charged, redandwhite

OP posts:
Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 23:03

Narky

Well, I would tell that to the coroner, then, that a danger to traffic isn't an emergency Hmm

OP posts:
NarkyMcDinkyChops · 08/02/2017 23:05

You obviously thought is wasn't an emergency since YOU rang the non emergency number. Why get shitty with me for reminding you of that? Hmm

Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 23:20

Well, in future I will just dial 999 and let them decide whether its an emergency or not.

OP posts:
Redglitter · 09/02/2017 00:10

And stop someone with a real emergency getting through just to save 15p Confused

NarkyMcDinkyChops · 09/02/2017 00:11

Either its an emergency or not. You thought it wasn't until it cost you a whole 30p, but now it is? That makes no sense at all.

Cheapskate of the year award on its way.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 09/02/2017 00:29

I get what you mean op. I also get the "it's only 30p!" point too.

I once tried to call 101 because a man was acting suspiciously but I couldn't (no credit), so I dithered a bit and called 999. That culminated in me and my 6 year old stalking a man like Rosemary and Thyme Cagney and Lacey down the road with me giving a description and reporting his movements before about 5 police vehicles picked him and his mate up and cordoned off the town centre. He met the mate just before the Old Bill screeched round the corner and there was much high fiving and back slapping because they throught they had got away.

Well they hadn't reckoned on me and the pesky kid. Nor had I to be fair. I just thought I should probably mention it to someone.

Maybe the 15p is an elaborate plot to help people choose the right service? 15p to log it but is it really worth it? Or it's 15p but by the time I've topped up/got through a recorded message telling me it's 15p it's actually a bit more urgent and 999 is appropriate?

PleasantPhesant · 09/02/2017 07:29

Clearly not a very PleasantPhesant this morning

To expect a call to the police on the non emergency number 101 to be free?
Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 09/02/2017 07:33

What is the definition of an emergency, then, Narky?

OP posts:
watchoutformybutt · 09/02/2017 08:28

It's 15p! What's wrong with you?

MidniteScribbler · 09/02/2017 08:41

I think they should be free. What if someone had no phone credit on a pre-paid and were prevented from calling the services because of it?

Yes it's a small amount and I wouldn't argue about paying it, but it's such a small amount that it doesn't seem to even be worth the effort of trying to collect it.

NarkyMcDinkyChops · 09/02/2017 08:50

What is the definition of an emergency, then, Narky?

What does it matter what my definition is? YOU thought it wasn't an emergency when the call was free, now you are claiming it WAS an emergency when it isn't free. I wasn't there, you were. Why have you changed your mind about the severity of the situation because of the cost of the call?

Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 09/02/2017 09:16

I haven't changed my mind over the severity of the situation, Narky, I am merely commenting that I should have been told I was going to be charged so that I could make an informed decision as to whether I should ring 999 or 101.

OP posts:
Coulddowithanap · 09/02/2017 09:19

I think they should be free. What if someone had no phone credit on a pre-paid and were prevented from calling the services because of it?

If it was important to call there and then then it must be an emergency. If it isn't an emergency then why not wait to call for free from a phone box, use their home land-line or ask a friend if they can use their phone.

Coulddowithanap · 09/02/2017 09:21

Pressed post too quickly..

Or spend 30 seconds googling for the local police station number that will then come out of your minutes.

PleasantPhesant · 09/02/2017 09:26

Narky is right on this one op.

abbsisspartacus · 09/02/2017 09:28

I think it should have been included in your minutes ffs it's supposed to be a local call rate call?

lapetitesiren · 09/02/2017 09:34

Yanbu. It should be free. People will hesitate to call the police because of this. When a situation is stressfull or causing anxiety its difficult to think rationally and cost shouldn't be something extra for people to worry about. I think a loose horse on the road is 999- it's an immediate danger that needs a quick response- that's what 999 is for. Imagine coming round a bend and smashing into it.

lapetitesiren · 09/02/2017 09:36

And some posters are being very rude. For someone on a tight budget 30p is significant. It's a tin of beans or an hour of heating.

Perfectlypurple · 09/02/2017 09:43

People don't hesitate to call the police though. If it isn't an emergency then there is no requirement to ring at that moment.

With regard to the situation in the op, a 999 call would have been appropriate. However, being charged if you ring 101 shouldn't have even formed part of the decision making if deciding to ring 999 or 101

999 is for if life is threatened, offenders nearby, if immediate action is required to save lives, stop injury or catch criminals.

If you get home and find you have been burgled at some point you ring 101. If you think offenders are still there you ring 999. If you realise your phone has been stolen out of your bag while walking around the shops it's 101, if you have your phone snatched out of your hand ring 999 immediately. If you wake up and your car has been stolen it's 101, you see the offenders drive off in your car 999. So all these examples it is the same offence but different response required dependant in the circumstances.

Glastonbury · 09/02/2017 10:23

It's free from a public payphone if you can find one.

NarkyMcDinkyChops · 09/02/2017 10:28

haven't changed my mind over the severity of the situation, Narky, I am merely commenting that I should have been told I was going to be charged so that I could make an informed decision as to whether I should ring 999 or 101

You have though. You said you called the non-emergency line but after finding out it cost you some pennies you then think that next time it would be more suitable for the emergency line. You also had a little rant about it being obviously a serious emergency as people could have been killed, except you only decided this after you saw your bill, because you didn't call 999 at the time.

You're confusing two issues. Should it be free? Maybe. Should they tell you there is a charge? Probably. Should you decide whether something is an emergency or not based on whether it will cost you 30p? Obviously not.

bonbonours · 09/02/2017 10:39

I don't see why this call shouldn't be included in minutes you've paid for (different from actually a freephone number). To those saying find the number of your local station, there are no direct lines now you have to ring 101 and it links to your local station.