Reduce Demand Campaign – Live Web Chat with Control Room Superintendent

Following on from our article yesterday – North Wales Police as part of the ‘Reduce Demand’ Campaign, are inviting residents from across North Wales to post questions to the man in charge of the Force Control Room.

Last week North Wales Police launched their campaign to help reduce the amount of unnecessary and inappropriate calls made to the Joint Communications Centre in St Asaph.

Temporary Superintendent Alex Goss will be taking to the web for a live chat on Thursday, October 10 to help further promote the campaign.

The ‘Cover it Live’ session will run from 2pm but will open its virtual doors at 1:30pm to allow people to start sending their queries and questions.

Last year North Wales Police received around 520,000 calls including emergency and non-emergency calls. Over the last 12 months 11,390 calls made to the centre have been abandoned with a high percentage of those being 999 calls.

Examples of inappropriate calls made to the 999 emergency line include a complaint about a cold curry from a take away and asking for assistance to move a couch which had become stuck in a hallway.

Other examples of unnecessary calls and emails made include request for advice regarding a possible broken ankle and a man who was looking for help in tracing a girl he had met on holiday.

A 21-year-old woman was recently given a fixed penalty ticket for making hoax calls after alleging she wanted to self-harm which resulted in the deployment of significant police resources. The woman was traced and issued with an £80 fine.

T/Supt Goss is the latest officer to use the live web chat – previously the Force Recruitment Team and some local Inspectors have hosted live Q&A sessions which have seen scores of individuals log on and participate.

This invitation gives people the opportunity to directly ask questions, provide feedback about any issues, observations, thoughts or concerns.

During the live session individuals will be able to join in at any time.

To take part in the web chat please visit the homepage of the North Wales Police website http://www.north-wales.police.uk/ and follow the link to the ‘Cover it Live’ session.