People wishing to report non-emergency items to the police can now dial 101.

The new number has been introduced for situations which do not require an immediate police response.

Up until now people have had to ring a Maidstone number to be put through to the control room where their calls have been dealt with.

Police are stressing that this does not replace the 999 number which should still be used for any emergency situation.

The 101 number should be used to report crime that has already happened and for such situations as when a car has been stolen, property damaged, if someone suspects drug use or dealing, minor traffic collisions, and to give information about crime or criminals.

People should also dial 101 if they want to talk to their local police officer.

The mobile phone signal or landline area code determines which police force the call is directed to, and if someone is calling within a mile of a force boundary they will be given the options to choose which one is nearest.

All 101 calls made in Kent will go through to the control centre at Maidstone. The police say calls will never cost more than 15 pence, even from a mobile phone.

People should still dial 999 when a crime is happening, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, someone is injured, being threatened or a life is at risk, or there is a traffic incident involving personal injury or danger.