Making the Right Call

Our Making the Right Call campaign aims to help keep our emergency lines available for those who need them the most by reminding the public how to access the right support at the right time.

The campaign highlights situations where another organisation may be better placed to help, including:

• Local authorities for issues, such as noise nuisance, fly-tipping, parking issues on council-managed roads and some environmental concerns
• Issues for utility providers such as power cuts, water supply problems and gas emergencies
• NHS services for medical advice and treatment
• Public transport issues, such as trains or buses being delayed

We want to reassure our communities that we are here when they need us, particularly in emergencies and situations where a crime is in progress or people are at risk of harm. However, we know that it can sometimes be difficult for people to determine which organisation is best placed to help with a particular issue. Our Making the Right Call campaign is designed to provide clear guidance and help people access the right service first time.

Every day, our contact handlers receive a wide range of calls and reports, many of which are not a policing matter and could be dealt with more effectively by another agency or through alternative reporting methods.

By calling the appropriate agency first time, members of the public can often get the support they need quicker while helping to keep our emergency lines available for genuine emergencies. Help us to help you by making the right call.

For non-emergency matters, you can report crime, information and intelligence online by visiting: Contact us | Dorset Police. Alternatively, if you do not have access to the internet or wish to speak in person on the phone with someone, you can call our 101 team for non-emergency enquiries.

You can also visit our enquiry offices in person at Bournemouth, Weymouth and Blandford – for opening times, please visit: Find a police station | Dorset Police, or speak to officers and staff at our Community Contact Points and Mobile Police station. For location details, please visit: Mobile Police Station | Dorset Police

Always call 999 if there is a danger to life or crime in progress.