Whitehall 1212

Whitehall 1212 was the famous telephone number of Scotland Yard.[1][2] It was introduced in 1934 and was used by the public to contact the London Metropolitan Police information room for both emergency and non-emergency business.[3] With the introduction of the 999 number for emergencies in 1937, Whitehall 1212 (dialled as WHI 1212) remained in use for non-emergencies until the 1960s[1] and the introduction of all-figure numbering. The switchboard number for New Scotland Yard became 020 7230 1212, and the last four digits of the telephone number for several other Metropolitan police buildings are 1212.[4]

Since 2011, the official non-emergency contact number for the Metropolitan Police has been 101. However 020 7230 1212 is still available as an alternative number.

Notes

  1. 1 2 Kisch 2010, p. 48.
  2. ↑ "Scotland Yard's main gates provided a background in many police films, and it held the original telephone number Whitehall 1212" (Metropolitan Police 2012a).
  3. ↑ Holland 2010.
  4. ↑ Metropolitan Police 2012b.

References

  • Holland, Gary (13 May 2010). "Why 999 for an emergency?". BBC London. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  • Kisch, Conrad (2010). Destination London. Gyldendal Uddannelse. p. 48. ISBN 978-87-02-04141-5.
  • Metropolitan Police (2012a). "History of the Metropolitan Police". Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime. Archived from the original on November 8, 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  • Metropolitan Police (2012b). "Non-emergency contact number". Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
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