'Help 111, I'm out of ciggys': Police deal with over 1 million non-emergency calls each year
Police are receiving over 1 million non-emergency calls a year to their communications centre, some of which they say are taking up valuable time and causing delays for real emergencies.
It's why they have launched a new phone number – 105 or "ten five" – meant for reporting crimes that pose no immediate danger to the public, such as burglary, vandalism and general inquiries.
Among some of the calls police received last year to the 111 line were:
* A caller had run out of smokes and wanted someone to bring him some more.
* A caller's hair colour was not the same on the packet and she wanted a refund.
* A caller wanted someone to come clean up her husband's vomit, because she didn't like the smell.
* A caller couldn't turn off the TV (police suggested unplugging it).
Police Minister Stuart Nash said they also receive "complaints about parking or noise or cheeky children" through the 111 line.
Calls to 111 should be limited to cases where an emergency is happening or just happened and there is a threat to "life or property".
"If it's already happened and there's no immediate danger, call 105," Nash said.
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Emergency call centres field more than 2 million calls a year in New Zealand, almost 900,000 to the 111 service.
However, just 20 per cent of 111 calls result in an emergency response, known as priority one. Another 20 per cent are priority two.
Police estimate about 60 per cent of demand in the emergency queue are actually reports of non-emergencies.
Call centres are also slowed by prank callers.
Police prosecutor sergeant Mark Harris said in October last year,
"While the majority of calls are genuine, some are fake or non-genuine," Harris said.
"These type of calls can take up valuable time and may cause a delay for someone in a life-threatening situation."
In the 60 years since it launched, 111 has often been called by youngsters with more innocuous intentions.
In July last year, a young Auckland boy, known only as Zachary, rang the number to invite police to his "police-themed" birthday party.
Uniformed officers, including Armed Offenders Squad members later surprised Zachary by showing up to his birthday party.
Police launched song and video promoting the number today. More than 40 police were involved in the production.
Its aim was to help us learn the number, as they make the plea to "use us 24/7, call us anytime".
As the lyrics say, they want us to know "who to contact if you find a lost pram, need advice about replying to a Nigerian internet scam".
This wasn't the first time the police have taken a light-hearted approach to public awareness campaigns.
In 2017 the New Zealand Police found international fame with the world's most entertaining police recruitment video. Sporting Taika Waititi-esque Kiwi humour, the fast-paced clip showcases the many different facets of police work; from the air, sea and land, in a bit to attract more candidates.
Last year's recruitment video Breaking News featured Wellington Paranormal's Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary, Oscar Kightley and comedian David Correos, as well as regular officers.
Police hope the 105 video jingle will also go viral for all the right reasons.
The number was launched at Te Papa in Wellington on Friday by Police Commissioner Mike Bush, Assistant Commissioner Jevon McSkimming and Police Minister Stuart Nash.
There are several other numbers for community safety and crime prevention. The public can call *555 to report urgent road issues. There are also online forms, the anonymous CrimeStoppers 0800 line and the 1737 mental health support line.
Stuff