Dialling 101 to report non-emergency incidents to police could cost you money, parish councillors were warned.
Villagers in Audlem have been encouraged to dial 101 to report incidents that would not normally warrant a 999 emergency call.
But councillor Richard Furber told a Parish Council meeting he has been surprised to learn that the call was not free.
"I have been informed that making a 101 call costs you 15p," he told councillors.
"We have been encouraging people for months to dial this number thinking it was free just like a 999 call but apparently it isn't," he added.
Since last year Audlem councillors have been urging residents to call the police on 101 to report any non-emergency incidents.
Calling 101 would help ensure as many incidents as possible get reported and could help to get police resources deployed appropriately in the Audlem area.
Typical incidents might be if your car is stolen, your property is damaged or if you suspect drug use in your neighbourhood.
The 101 number is also appropriate to report a minor traffic collision, to give police information about local crime or to speak to a police officer.
The 101 number was introduced as part of a government initiative to improve access to the police, ease pressure on 999 services, and help to streamline responses when tackling crime and disorder.
Update: Parish Councillor Dave Siddorns wrote to local MP Stephen O'Brien asking where the 15p goes. This reply has been received this morning:
Dear Mr Siddorns
Thank you for contacting me about phone charges.
If a matter is less urgent than a 999 call, the number 101 should be used to contact your local police in England and Wales. I can confirm that such a call does incur a 15p charge. The cost of the call goes to the telephone providers to cover the cost of carrying the calls. The police and government receive no money from calls to 101.
I think it is important that everyone calling the police for non-emergency matters knows exactly how much a call will cost them, and are assured of equal access whether they are on a pay-as-you-go mobile or a home landline.
NHS 111 is another new service introduced to make it easier to access local NHS healthcare services. You can call 111 when you urgently need medical help or advice, but it's not a 999 emergency. I can confirm that all calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me – I hope this is helpful.
Yours sincerely
Stephen O'Brien
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