A Home Office campaign promoting the police 101 number is being backed by Suffolk Constabulary.

The campaign, running online, aims to show the type of situations when 101 should be used.

More than three-quarters of 999 calls received by police are for non-emergencies, such as people reporting crimes which are no longer in progress, or wanting to discuss anti-social behaviour.

When a crime is in progress or there is a risk of violence or to life then 999 should be used.

The 101 number should only be used for police matters, allowing the force to provide an improved service rather than transferring callers to other agencies. It also allows a speedier response to 999 calls.

A 101 call costs a flat 15p rate.

Superintendent Louisa Pepper, lead for the contact and control room at Suffolk Constabulary, said: 'I cannot stress how important it is members of the public use the correct number to contact police, as we still receive calls to 999 that are not emergencies.

'These misplaced calls could potentially delay us in responding to genuine emergencies, where officers might have been able to halt a crime in progress or assist where lives are at risk.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk police and crime commissioner, is also backing the campaign.