Greater Manchester Police are still unable to answer non-emergency phone calls this morning - almost 24 hours after the problem first emerged.
The force says all major systems are online, but there is a technical fault affecting the 101 service.
People are being urged to report non-emergency incidents online via GMP’s website while bosses work with BT to fix the problem.
The issue is not thought to be related to the force’s troubled new computer system iOPS. Rather it has been identified as a “network issue”.
A GMP spokesperson said in a statement this morning: “Our major systems are currently online and working normally.
“We have identified the fault as a network issue rather than a problem with any specific system (e.g. iOPS).
“We are working with our partners including BT to understand the exact cause.
“We continue to recommend our online services as an efficient alternative to using 101.”
The force first reported the problem via Twitter just after 8.30am on Monday morning (December 21).
The message warned that those who need to contact police should use the reporting facilities on GMP’s website.
People are still being urged to call 999 in an emergency.
The situation remains the same this morning despite engineers working to try and come up with a fix yesterday.
GMP said the technical problems are affecting systems at force headquarters, including calls coming into the Operational Communications Branch.
In an update posted to Twitter on Monday afternoon, the force said: “#Update | We are continuing to experience technical issues which are affecting our systems - including calls coming into our Operational Communications Branch - however early indications have suggested this is a network issue and there is a BT engineer currently working to resolve the problem.
“Some functionality has returned but the systems are not fully operational as yet so we are continuing to use our rigorously tested business continuity plans. We would therefore ask that the public continue to make non-emergency reports online via our website - not 101 - and only call 999 in an emergency.
“We hope to have this matter resolved swiftly.
“If you need to contact us about something please use the reporting facilities on our website https://crowd.in/N2N9gm”.
Last Wednesday, GMP's new computer system iOPS crashed again forcing call handlers to take details of crime reports on paper.
Bosses initially feared a power outage at a GMP building was the cause - but engineers quickly realised it was an IT failure.
All systems were eventually restored after two hours.
The IT crash resulted in 999 and non-emergency calls being taken down on paper, force bosses confirmed.
GMP said 'tried and tested business continuity plans were activated, which ensured that service delivery to our communities was minimised'.
The force has been dogged by problems since it introduced its Integrated Operational Policing System (iOPS) at a cost of £27m in July last year - some 19 months behind schedule.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) told the force earlier this year that issues with the IT system had exposed hundreds of vulnerable people to 'potential risk of harm'.Chief Constable Ian Hopkins announced his resignation on Friday after his force was placed in special measures due to concerns over its failure to record more than 80,000 crimes in the space of a year.
HMIC said it was left 'deeply troubled' over how cases handled by GMP were closed without proper investigation.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said his job of holding Mr Hopkins and his force to account had been 'made difficult' by an 'overly defensive culture within GMP'.
