Crime hotline future under threat

A helpline for people to report low-level crime in Sheffield will not become a countywide service, putting its future under threat.

The 101 number was designed to ease pressure on the emergency services.

But the service was delivered a blow when the Home Office stopped providing funding in March.

There were hopes of rolling out the service across South Yorkshire to secure its future but local councils said it was not financially possible.

Sheffield City Council said discussions had taken place with Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham councils but they felt they could not support it financially.

Sheffield councillor Bob McCann said: "Their decision not to support 101 is a blow for the future of the service.

"However, we are looking into the feasibility of other options in order to keep 101."

The helpline, which allows residents to report anti-social behaviour and community safety problems in their neighbourhoods, has received 100,000 calls since it was set up in June 2006.

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