The penny-pinching Labour Government has pulled the plug on Newcastle's popular non-emergency 101 phone number.
The announcement comes less than two years after the service was launched in the city to give local people an alternative to 999 for reporting anti-social behaviour.
The decision to axe 101 was taken by the Home Office and has been condemned by Northumbria Police. The service will end in March 2008 when the Government funding stops.
Local Newburn councillor Mike Lynch says: "Labour may talk tough on crime but their decision to axe the 101 service shows this claim is just words.
"101 is well used in Newburn Ward and across Newcastle and I know local people will miss the service when it ends in March.
"The police deserve better from Labour."
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