- By Sergeant Brett Meale of Howick Police
When speaking with various groups in the community, generally one of the first questions asked is when to call 111 and when to call 105.
Knowing which number to call ensures police resources are used effectively.
111 is the police emergency number and should be called when a crime is actively happening or has just been committed and the offenders are still at the scene or have just left, or if there’s a serious, immediate, or imminent risk to life or property, or people are injured or in danger.
105 is the number for non-urgent police matters. This should be used to report crimes or incidents that have already happened, and an immediate police response is not required.
This might include offences such as historic burglaries, thefts, intentional damage, fraud or incidents like lost property, or suspicious vehicles with no occupants.
105 can also be used to get an update on a report already made or to add to an existing report.
You can also report via 105.police.govt.nz or download the Police App which readily provides the above options at the push of a button.
If you’re unsure if it’s a real emergency, such as a situation where you’re watching persons or vehicles in circumstances that don’t seem right, please follow your “gut feeling” and call 111.
More often than not your “gut feeling” is right, and those persons may be looking to commit a criminal offence or may have already done so.
By calling 111 you give us the best opportunity to utilise resources in a timely manner and check out the situation.
Remember, when calling 111, stay as calm as possible and provide clear information such as the location, what’s occurring, and descriptions of the persons and vehicles involved.
