This is how to make silent 999 calls from your mobile

Calling 999 allows you to speak to the emergency services, accessing the help you require quickly.

But if you are ever in a situation where you’re unable to talk or where it may be dangerous to speak aloud, you can still alert the police that you need help, thanks to the Silent Solution system.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

How to make a silent 999 call

The Silent Solution system, which has been in operation since 2002, prompts 999 callers to press 55 on mobiles to signify they are unable to talk.

The instructions are as follows:

Dial 999 Listen to the questions from the 999 operatorRespond by coughing or tapping the handset if you canIf prompted, press 55. This lets the 999 call operator know it’s a genuine emergency and you’ll be put through to the police

Make Yourself Heard

The ‘Make Yourself Heard’ campaign has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) today (8 April).

This campaign aims to inform people of the Silent Solution system and the steps they need to take in order to silently alert the police that they need assistance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Women’s Aid and Welsh Women’s Aid, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council are supporting this campaign.

The ‘Make Yourself Heard’ campaign has just been launched, supported by Women’s Aid and Welsh Women’s Aid, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (Photo: Shutterstock)

Silent Solution system

Around 20,000 silent emergency calls are made in the UK each day, with a quarter of these calls being transferred to the Silent Solution system if call handlers are unsure if they are genuine, after having received no response after 30 seconds.

The West Yorkshire Police website explains that “each day the 999 service receives large numbers of accidental 999 calls, particularly from mobile phones.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“BT's operators will attempt to confirm there is an emergency by asking the normal questions in order to receive a response.

“If suspicious noises are heard, the call will be put through to the police or the caller will be asked to press or dial 55 which will also route the call to the police.”

“BT operator will pass on to the police any information they have been able to establish and the police Customer Contact Centre Agent will then also attempt to assess if there is an emergency and the location of the caller.”

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Lancashire Evening Post

News you can trust since 1737
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice