It's your neighbourhood a new 101 service for Newcastle and Sunderland

The Labour Government stopped the funding for the 101 non emergency number in December, the Liberal Democrat Council have been working to provide a replacement and we have now formed a partnership with Sunderland City Council funded by the two authorities.

It's Your Neighbourhood is a partnership between Newcastle and Sunderland city councils which will offer a 24 hour and seven-day-a-week telephone service to more than 500,000 people in both cities.

The 0300 1000 101 telephone line will be switched on at noon on March 31st 2008 and will receive calls from the public reporting problems such as litter, noise nuisances, broken street lighting, graffiti or vandalism.

It's Your Neighbourhood is not the same as the previous single non emergency number - 101 - as the Police will no longer be receiving electronic service requests.

Cllr John Shipley, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: "We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Sunderland to ensure the continuation of the non-emergency phone service.

"Since the telephone service started in 2006 we have received very positive feedback from users. We feel it is very important therefore to make sure it carries on, as it provides a 24 hour hotline for residents to report any concerns which can then be dealt with promptly by the appropriate council departments. We have had to find the money from within our own budgets, but we feel it is very important to do so."