RESIDENTS of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are being urged by the police to continue telephoning the 101 service to report anti-social behaviour.

The Single Non-Emergency Number, as it is known, has already been used by thousands of residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to report incidents such as noise trouble and fly-tipping since its launch in May this year.

It is being tried out in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, along with four other areas, but the expansion of the service into the rest of the country has been delayed.

A review of the service will take place in the autumn of next year.

Senior officers at Hampshire Constabulary believe that, through experience, lessons can be learned about the use of the service that could aid a smooth transition in other areas of England and Wales.

Superintendent Nigel Hindle, manager of the 101 service, said: "It is important that the residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight know that 101 continues to thrive and the number should be used for all non-emergency, anti-social behaviour issues."

"Staff receiving these calls have direct access to both the police control room and all local authority departments, such as those dealing with environmental health and noise issues."

He said more than 1,000 calls were received by the service during Hallowe'en, which allowed callers to receive a joint service from police and local authorities and also relieved pressure on the 999 service.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Readhead said he hoped the evidence would convince the Government to roll out the service across the country.

Calls to 101 cost a flat rate of 10 pence from both mobile and landline telephones.