Is 999 System Down? Why is 999 Emergency Number Not Working?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Jun 26, 2023
What is 999?
The emergency telephone number 999 is a vital resource in the United Kingdom. This number serves as a direct line of communication to the emergency services, including the police, fire brigade, and ambulance.
Originally introduced in the UK in 1937, the choice of the number 999 was based on its simplicity and ease of recall, even in high-stress situations. Its distinctiveness from other numbers, such as the European emergency number 112, further enhances its effectiveness.
When dialing 999, you will connect with a skilled call handler who will guide you through a series of questions to assess the urgency and nature of your emergency. Based on this evaluation, the call handler will promptly dispatch the appropriate emergency services to your precise location.
It is essential to bear in mind that 999 should only be used in genuine emergencies. If uncertainty arises regarding the severity of a situation, it is always advisable to err on the side of caution and contact 999 for professional assistance.
Upon dialing 999, individuals will be connected to a trained operator equipped to handle a wide range of emergency scenarios. These operators are available round-the-clock, every day of the year, ensuring constant access to critical assistance for those in need.
Responsible usage of the 999 emergency number is crucial. Instances, where it is appropriate to dial 999, include witnessing a serious crime in progress, encountering a medical emergency, encountering a fire, or encountering a road traffic accident with trapped or injured individuals.
False alarms impose unnecessary strain on emergency services, potentially impeding their ability to swiftly respond to genuine emergencies. Therefore, it is imperative to reserve the use of the 999 number exclusively for situations that genuinely require immediate attention. For non-emergency matters, alternative numbers are available, such as 101 for contacting the police, 111 for urgent medical advice, or the non-emergency number of the local fire department.
Remember, the effective utilization of the 999 emergency number ensures that resources are efficiently allocated to those who need them most, maximizing the ability to save lives and protect the community.
Is 999 System Down?
Yes, there have been reports circulating regarding issues with the 999 emergency call system in various regions in London. These reports suggest that the system may be down or experiencing technical difficulties.
Consequently, individuals have been advised to utilize alternative emergency numbers like 101 instead. It is crucial to remain updated on any developments or changes to emergency protocols during such situations. This morning, on Sunday, June 25, Britons are being cautioned against dialing the emergency 999 phone number.
According to the Metropolitan Police, this disruption is a result of the service losing connection to several police forces across the United Kingdom. The precise impact on affected forces has yet to be confirmed, as a technical fault is believed to be the cause. Unfortunately, a significant number of emergency 999 calls are failing to connect, forcing individuals in need to explore alternative options.
The Metropolitan Police disclosed this information on Sunday morning and encouraged people to dial 101 in case of an emergency. They explained that due to the technical fault affecting multiple police forces, many 999 calls are not successfully connecting. In April, NHS England data revealed wait times for 999 calls, with the national average being 28 seconds.
However, one in ten callers experienced a wait of over one minute and 33 seconds, and one in 100 callers endured a wait of four minutes and 12 seconds. The ongoing technical fault is causing the aforementioned disruption to the 999 emergency call system, further exacerbating the situation.
Why is 999 Emergency Number Not Working?
According to the government, the technical issues that affected 999 calls have now been resolved. The emergency phone system, managed by BT, remained operational thanks to a resilient backup system. However, the substitute location tool, which provides automatic text-based location information, is not as reliable as the primary 999 system, as stated by the Metropolitan Police.
A government spokesperson reassured the public that the problem has been fully resolved, and the service is functioning normally. They emphasized that anyone in need of emergency assistance should dial 999 as usual. A thorough investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the issue.
BT acknowledged the ongoing technical fault and stated that their engineers are diligently working to identify its root cause. They clarified that the problem was not related to third parties or the hot weather, nor was it connected to the separate Android handset issue reported earlier in the week.
The top priority for BT is to restore the primary 999 lines as quickly as possible, and technical information about the system's workings or backup solution architecture cannot be shared due to its critical national infrastructure status.
The Metropolitan Police acknowledged that the backup system is less effective in determining the caller's location. They urged individuals to provide their emergency address or identify nearby street names or landmarks to assist in locating the incident. Bedfordshire Police suggested using #what3words if the emergency address is unknown.
At around 10 am, emergency services nationwide confirmed their ability to receive 999 calls again, although some residual difficulties may persist. BT implemented a backup platform after reports of connection issues with 999 calls emerged around 8:30 am on Sunday, prompting people to call 101 for police and fire emergencies or 111 for medical emergencies.
Certain police, fire, and ambulance services reported difficulties, while Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service cautioned about a 30-second delay in connecting to 999. Suffolk Police indicated that their system may not be operating at full capacity and advised using 999 exclusively for genuine emergencies.
999 Outage
The Metropolitan Police has officially confirmed that the 999 service is up and running again, following a temporary disruption caused by a technical fault. During this brief interruption, Londoners were advised to contact 101 in the event of an emergency and to refrain from making non-urgent calls until further notice. The glitch affected multiple police forces nationwide, as the 999 system, which is managed by BT, encountered a technical hiccup on Sunday morning.
BT has assured the public that its backup platform is now fully operational, allowing everyone to resume calling 999 without any issues. The Metropolitan Police has verified that all services have been successfully restored. Other police forces outside of London, including South Wales Police and Greater Manchester Police, encountered similar problems. In light of the situation, they urged individuals to dial 101 in case of an emergency.
To ensure a smooth flow of emergency communications, it is essential to limit non-urgent calls at this time. The Metropolitan Police emphasized this point on their Twitter account, stating, "Please only call in an emergency and please wait until later to make any 101 non-emergency calls."
Additionally, several services, such as Greater Manchester Police, Hampshire Police, Bedfordshire Police, West Yorkshire Police, West Midlands Police, Norfolk Police, and South Wales Police, have specifically directed the public to dial 101 for emergency situations.
Even the fire services, including Bedfordshire Fire Control, Leicestershire Fire Control, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, have urged people not to use the national 999 system for reporting fires. Instead, they have provided alternative direct numbers for contacting their control rooms.
Rest assured, the technical issues plaguing the national 999 system are being actively addressed. BT has acknowledged the problem and is working swiftly to resolve it. As progress is made, regular updates will be provided to ensure everyone stays informed.
We can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the 999 service is back on track, thanks to the efforts of the dedicated teams involved in rectifying the situation. Let's continue to prioritize emergency calls on 999 while the issue is being fully resolved, allowing emergency services to efficiently assist those in need.
Is 999 System Down - FAQs
Yes, there have been reports of technical difficulties with the 999 system.
The system was affected by a technical fault.
Yes, emergency services are still functioning, but alternative measures may be in place.
It is advised to call 101 for non-urgent emergencies during the disruption.
The authorities are actively working to resolve the issue, but an exact timeframe has not been provided.