POLICE chiefs have thrown out controversial plans to introduce a costly premium-rate phone line for residents who want to contact the force with day-to-day inquiries.

Members of North Yorkshire Police Authority said they would not support the proposal to raise extra funds through a new non-emergency phone number.

But they instructed senior managers to press ahead with moves to create a county-wide non-urgent police contact number.

It's thought a single memorable number will end widespread confusion over the best way of contacting the police, and end spurious 999 calls.

Chief Constable Della Cannings said the force had to look at means of generating income to pay for a modern and well-equipped policing organisation.

She said: "You would come to North Yorkshire Police and offset the cost of policing for a little bit of indirect taxation by paying for the call."

She added: "The big issue is that people are already paying for policing and there's some thoughts that it's not acceptable to go for a premium rate at this time.

"The view of the authority did not support that (the premium-rate line), but it's right to consider and possibly to come back and consider again at some time in the future when we review the implementation of the single number."

The chief constable's proposal, which was revealed exclusively in yesterday's Evening Press, attracted nationwide media attention and a volley of criticism from residents.

The plans came as the police looked to further improve their call handling service.

A county-wide non-emergency phone line could be launched within 12 months.

Updated: 14:23 Thursday, February 12, 2004