Calls to the police have fallen over the last week as emergency services deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
The public are now being thanked by Northumbria Police after the number of 101 calls fell by 15% following a plea by the force.
People were asked to consider using the website instead of calling as a number of call handlers have been unable to go into work due to the pandemic.
This week the number of reports using their online forms has increased by 55% compared to the same time period last week.
The overall number of non-emergency reports, both on 101 and online, actually fell by 15% over the same seven-day period.
Chief Superintendent Neil Hutchison oversees the work of the call handlers and has urged the public to continue going online for non-emergencies.
“We have all been inspired by how our communities have come together in these challenging times so in many ways these figures come as no surprise,” said Chief Supt Hutchison.
“However, your response to our request for help has been fantastic and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you wholeheartedly.
“We are not exempt from the impact of coronavirus on our workforce and there are a number of call handlers who have been unable to physically come in to work.
“However, they are determined to do all they can to support our communities and while they can’t answer calls they can respond to online inquiries.
“You are playing your part in keeping your local communities safe and are allowing us to remain available for those vulnerable people who do need to speak to us on the phone.
“Please continue to report information online whenever possible and if you have any questions about the stay-at-home restrictions in place then please visit the gov.uk website rather than contact us.
“It is important we all follow the Government measures which have been put in place to keep us all safe. The message is clear – stay at home to save lives.”
If you need to tell Northumbria Police about a crime, you can use online forms instead of calling 101.
You can do this by searching ‘Northumbria Police – Report an Incident’.
