NON-EMERGENCY police calls could become cheaper for residents.

Surrey Police are considering changing their non-geographical 0845-prefixed number, which costs up to 40p a minute from a mobile phone and 4p a minute on a BT landline during the day.

A spokesman said: "While at one time 0845 was charged at local rate, the differential between it and local geographical calls has drifted steadily upwards. Today, packages are available where all geographical calls are included but this does not apply to 0845 numbers.

"Those who are likely to require contact with the police the most are those who can ill afford expensive telephone calls."

The 0845 number was introduced by the force in 2003, directing callers to a centralised call centre instead of individual police stations. These numbers can be used to generate revenue for the companies using them, who receive a percentage of call charges.

Stuart Lowe, the call centre operations manager, said it has never used this option and does not profit from the number.

The Association of Chief Police Officers is advising forces to change their numbers to 0345 numbers, which communications regulator Ofcom says costs no more than a UK call.

Surrey Police is considering this option as well as reverting to a local 01483 number, routed through the call centre. Mr Lowe said the cost of promoting a new number to residents had to be considered.