MP Emma Reynolds in call to scrap 101 charges
An MP has called for all mobile networks to scrap 101 call charges, describing the fees as "a tax on the victims of crime".
Emma Reynolds is pressing the Government to outlaw charges to the crime reporting service, which sees callers pay 15p to networks.
Vodafone has become the first provider in the UK to scrap the charge, and Wolverhampton North East MP Ms Reynolds wants others to follow the firm's lead.
The Labour MP said: “I welcome Vodafone’s announcement that it will scrap the 15 pence charge per-call for the 101 service.
"I have pressed the government to do this, so it is welcome to see one of the mobile phone networks take action.
“This charge is a tax on the victims of crime. Nobody should have to pay to report a crime to the police.
"I fully support any move to scrap the charge and will keep on pressing the government to step in and scrap it across all mobile phone networks.
“101 was set up specifically to take non-emergency calls away from 999. People are expected to call the number for updates on their case, talk to a local police officer, and to report crime which isn’t immediately taking place.
"The NHS 111 service serves a similar purpose in taking demand away from 999 and has no charge, calling 101 should also be free.”
Vodafone is set to make 101 calls free for all seven million of its pay-as-you-go users from the end of this month, exempting them from the 15p flat-rate fee.
A spokesman for Vodafone said: “We have been looking to make improvements for customers.
“It was decided it would be beneficial for pay-as-you-go customers who tend to be more vulnerable to zero-rate the 101 service.”
Ms Reynolds' comments came as Home Secretary Sajid Javid’s department urged other mobile providers to ditch the charge.
A Home Office spokesman said: “We welcome Vodafone’s decision and would encourage other mobile phone operators to follow their lead, whilst we review charges for the 101 non-emergency telephone number.”
