PEOPLE are being urged to think before they call 101 and help save police resources.

Greater Manchester Police received 1.5million calls to 101 in the year leading up to July 2017 and has now launched a campaign to help make it more efficient.

The force wants the public to make the right choice and consider all the options for getting in touch or finding information with the new four-step rule.

This is designed to help people get the best help as quickly as possible and asks residents to consider who they call about an issue, if information is already readily available or whether they should be calling 101 or 999.

GMP's new website has an online chat functionality has helped the force to give people different contact methods and they are now asking people to think before they pick up the phone.

Assistant Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “At a time when we’re working to ensure we are focused on keeping people safe we are always looking to find new ways to work more efficiently and effectively. This includes looking at how we can provide access to services in the most effective way possible.

“We need to encourage people to think a little differently than they have before – calling us on 101 is often people’s go-to reaction when they need advice outside of an emergency. We want to help people realise that there is already lots of information out there, that sometimes there are more appropriate or specialist services available but that ultimately, we will always be on hand if someone needs us.

“We are committed to supporting the people of Greater Manchester, and want to provide the best service we possibly can. We all need to work together to achieve this.”

The force is working with local authorities, partner agencies and stakeholders and the people of Greater Manchester to continue to develop a service that best serves everyone.

This includes changes to public enquiry counters, developments to police contact points across Greater Manchester and a new lost and found online reporting service, alongside developments to the website and the trial of a live chat function.

The first step is to consider whether this is a police issue, or whether is another service that is better suited and to take a look at the force's most asked questions for advice.

Step two is to consider whether the information is already on their website, where lots of crime prevention advice can be found as can information on your local neighbourhood policing team.

Step three is if a crime has already happened and you want to report it to call 101 or if you have information to share.

Finally, if a crime is happening now, to call 999 straight away.

To find out more about the four steps and the appropriate action to take, go to www.gmp.police.uk/gmp4u