999 is for use when an "immediate" response is required and should only be used in cases where a crime is happening now or if anyone is in immediate danger.

Believe it or not, out of 2.5million calls to the Metropolitan Police through the 999 system last year, only about 20 per cent required an emergency response.

To make the best use of manpower and equipment, calls from members of the public are treated in different ways. Emergency calls are always given the highest priority and in fact are dealt with directly by the control room at New Scotland Yard. It is important that calls to 999 are genuine and appropriate to ensure that we can respond properly to real emergencies.

• Any incident where life is at risk

• Where a serious injury may occur

• Where a crime is in progress

• Serious road incident

• Fight or major disturbance

• Young children missing

• Suspicious activity or person loitering

If it is not a situation where a crime is happening at the moment or where someone is in immediate danger you should call your local police via the Kingston Control Room on 0300 123 1212 instead.

You should contact your local Police for:

• Investigating a crime, which happened some time ago.

• Vehicles causing obstruction

• Minor road accidents

• Animals lost or found

• Appointments - contact your local Station as appropriate

• To see local home beat officer

• See a Crime Prevention Officer

• Arrange demonstration or talks

Certain categories of minor crime committed in Greater London only can now be reported over the internet, as long as an urgent response is not required.

• Visit our reporting crime pages  for full details.