For many people the school holidays mean some well-deserved time off, a break from school and possibly some time to get away.
For the police, however, it means a likely spike in demand and increases in calls for help.
The holidays will likely mean an increase in anti-social behaviour, cold calling and incidents linked to excess alcohol, violence and domestic abuse.
On average Wiltshire Police receive over 107,000 999 calls and 270,000 101 calls each year.
For some of these calls, 999 was not the right method of contacting police, and in some cases the online reporting forms on the website could have been used instead of calling 101.
Did you know that our Wiltshire Police website now has several different options where you can report a crime?
If it is an emergency, always dial 999! but for non-emergency reports of crime or if you need to find information, consider making a report or finding the information you need by using the Wiltshire Police website.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Minty said: “Since 2019 we have been continuously developing our website as part of the national Single Online Home programme, and I’m really pleased to say that along with lots of advice and guidance there are now over 30 services online including reporting crimes, anti-social behaviour, road traffic incidents, domestic abuse, fraud, corruption and many more.
“In an emergency and when a crime is in progress, we still ask that you call 999, but for non-urgent reports you can use 101 or the reporting tools on the website.
“Online reports work in the same way as a 101 call, coming through to trained Contact Management Operators who deal with the report.
“Remember – In an emergency call 999, for everything else start online.”
“Help us to reduce the demand placed upon our Contact Management Centre this summer. Think Click or Call.”
In an emergency always call 999, but for everything else start online.
