THE threatened 101 non-emergency police service in Hampshire has been granted a reprieve until March next year after local councils stepped in to plug the funding gap left by Home Office withdrawal.

Since the launch of the number in 2006 it has received over 350,000 calls from members of the public reporting incidents such as anti-social behaviour, flytipping and noisy neighbours.

Despite its success the Home Office announced in November last year that funding would not continue beyond February 14 but a rescue package has now been put together by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight 101 partnership.

The package consists of a one-off Home Office payment and funding from local authorities including Hampshire County Council Hampshire chief constable Paul Kernaghan said: "More than 350,000 calls to 101 since its launch in 2006 show that the service has been widely adopted as the first port of call to report anti-social behaviour, and its abandonment by the Home Office is disappointing.

"I am delighted that our partners, in the councils of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, have agreed to preserve this important service, which truly is partnership in action. Collectively we are saying this service works for the communities we serve and we are keen to build on its advantages locally, despite the Home Office decision to cancel the planned national roll out.

"We are committed to providing a quality service and 101 assists us in delivering such a service. I pay tribute to enlightened local council leaders who are prepared to collaborate for the good of the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight."

101 will remain the number to call for non-emergency anti-social behaviour issues like noise nuisance, rowdy groups, fly-tipping and vandalism. When people contact 101, Hampshire Constabulary will continue to pass on the information to local authorities so that community safety partnerships can take joint action to tackle hot spots and reduce anti-social behaviour in the long term.

The funding secured for the coming year will allow the partnership to further evaluate the service and prepare future plans for embedding it into existing budgets and business processes.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, chair of Hampshire Police Authority, said: "The 101 service enjoyed a successful launch followed by a popular take up by residents. It currently takes up to 600 calls a day.

"The decision from the Home Office to bring central government funding for this worthwhile service to an end was short sighted so I am very pleased that a way has been found to keep 101 going here in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Through 101 we have all gained valuable experience working with partner organisations, experience which will be put to good use as the service moves on to the next stage."