HYNDBURN MP Graham Jones has slammed phone charges to the police non-emergency number.

The 101 number costs 15p per call, which the Home Office previously said would ‘reduce the likelihood of it being used inappropriately.’

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But Mr Jones, who asked in Parliament how many complaints had been received about the fee, said: “Whilst the government says this is to act as a deterrent against it being used inappropriately, the 999 number remains free.

“Dialling the police is more often to report criminality or suspected criminality. Placing a charge on civic duty whilst offering a free service isn’t logical.” In a reply to Mr Jones’ Parliamentary question, minister of state for justice and Hamel Hempstead MP Mike Penning said 49 complaints had been received about the charge in the last three years.

He added: “Research by Ofcom shows that a small fixed charge does not deter people from calling the service.”