Non-urgent number to reduce 999 police calls

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The move is aimed at relieving the pressure on the 999 service which deals with more than 2.5million calls a year in the capital alone.

Police say the new number 0300 123 1212 should be used when people need to report a minor crime or seek advice on police issues.

The number of 999 calls has been steadily rising in recent years but only around a quarter are genuine.

The Met is currently failing to meet a national target of answering 999 calls within 10 seconds and senior officers hope the new number will help relieve pressure on the system.

Many of the emergency calls are unrelated to the police. Examples include asking for a lift home, asking for help in getting a spider out of the bath and reporting that pet tortoises had been stolen.

Commander Simon Bray said: "We hope that by providing people with one memorable number the amount of inappropriate 999 calls to the Met will reduce." He emphasised that when a crime is happening, someone suspected of a crime is known to be nearby, or someone is injured or in danger, people should always dial 999.