South Wales Police receives highest EVER monthly total of 999 Calls

Officers are reminding people to only call in an emergency

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Author: Seb CheerPublished 23rd Jul 2021
Last updated 23rd Jul 2021

People across South Wales are being urged to only call the Police on 999 if it is an emergency.

South Wales Police recorded its highest ever monthly total in June 2021 for calls to 999, at 21,501.

Officers are concerned that July is likely to see that record broken, with 16,500 calls already recorded in just the first 3 weeks of the month.

It works out as a total of 33 calls every hour of the day.

"Exeptionally high" demand

The force’s Public Service Centre has also received more than 29,100 non-emergency calls over the same time period, an average of a further 58 calls an hour.

Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan said: “Our teams of call handlers, digital contact teams, and dispatchers are working incredibly hard, day and night, to be there for people in need.

“Demand so far this summer has been exceptionally high – in June this year we received almost 6,000 more emergency calls than in June 2020, and 3,600 more than in June 2019 – and we are doing what we can to ensure we can prioritise those who require the police’s help in an emergency.

“For those who don’t need to call, our digital desk responds to emails, online crime reports, and social media DMs on a 24/7 basis.”

He added: “Totalling up the total number of calls and digital contacts, we’ve received around 60,000 contacts during the first three weeks of July.

“Of course, we are always here and we will always help those who need us most. But we’re asking people to remember that 999 is for when a crime is in progress or if someone is in immediate danger.

“And if it’s not 999, remember that you can do it online.”

To make getting in touch with the police more convenient, and to help alleviate demand, a number of digital contact methods have been set up to help people contact South Wales Police when it’s not an emergency. These include online crime-reporting tools via the South Wales Police website, direct messages on Facebook and Twitter, as well as emails to the control room.

To contact South Wales Police when it’s not an emergency, you can visit https://www.south-wales.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/__, email SWP101@south-wales.police.uk, send a private message on one of the branded Facebook or Twitter accounts, or call 101. If it is an emergency, call 999.

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