This means members of the public will be able to call Tayside Police on one number, reducing any confusion in knowing which number to call for which police station or function.

The move is being made in conjunction with more detailed information about when to use 999 or the new number.

The single non emergency number has been implemented in line with the ACPOS (Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland) national strategy for call handling for all Scottish Forces and is the first step towards moving to a single non emergency number for all Scottish Police Forces.

The new number will shortly be linked to an Interactive Voice Response System which will improve access to the appropriate service on first contact. There will be four caller options which will cover all call requests.

These will be 1/ Lost and Found Property; 2/ Custody matters;
3/ Advice, guidance and transfers; 4/ Police attendance.

All call takers at options three and four can access any previous reports made, such as crime reports or lost property and can therefore assist callers in a variety of ways without necessarily having to transfer the caller to a specific station or individual.

Danger

The Emergency 999 number should always be used if there is any danger, or risk to life, or a crime is in progress.

The new non-emergency number 0845 600 5705 should be used in circumstances that don't meet those criteria, such as reporting an incident or crime which has already happened some time ago, or when seeking advice on policing matters.

Superintendent Hamish Macpherson, in charge of the Force Communications Centre, said: "Previously, it was sometimes confusing for members of the public to know which number to call in either an emergency or non emergency situation and sometimes they didn't know which police station they should be contacting.

"The new non-emergency number will shortly be linked to an Interactive Voice Response System which will improve access to the appropriate service on first contact.

"There will be four caller options which cover all call requests including lost and found property, custody matters, advice, guidance and transfers, and matters requiring police officer attendance.

"We want to prioritise calls requiring police attendance so they get through to the right resource as soon as possible.

"Tayside Police receive approximately 30,000 non emergency calls a month covering a wide range of issues, such as reporting crimes, asking to speak to a specific officer, enquiries about lost and found property and even non police related matters.

"The new system should direct the calls to the most appropriate area reducing the need for transfers between departments

"The new number is easy to remember and can be used anywhere to contact Tayside Police and the ability for the public to use the current direct dial numbers has been retained, so if a caller needs to speak to a specific member of staff and they already know the direct dial number, they should continue to use that number.

"This will help call handlers deal with other calls more efficiently.

"I must stress that if a caller is dealing with an emergency situation they should always dial 999. An emergency situation is one where a crime is in progress, there is a risk of injury to someone, risk of serious damage to property, or there is a serious incident which needs immediate police attendance."

A public awareness campaign is being mounted to promote use of the 0845 600 5705 number. This will include advertising and mail drops over the coming months.