999 and 112
"Hello, Police please."
In an emergency (when an immediate response is needed) you should phone 999. The 999 system handles calls for the fire and ambulance service as well as the police so you should try to be clear about which service you need.
You can also phone 112, which is the international emergency number. This will put you through exactly the same way as if you had called 999. But 112 is a standardised number across many countries and means that wherever you are in the world you will know how to summon help quickly.
Police, ambulance, or fire? When your call is first answered you will be speaking to an operator who will ask you which service you require. The operator will connect you to the service you request. The operator stays on the line with the caller until satisfied that communication has been established. Once you are connected to the police there are two things they will want to know straight away:
- Exactly where is it that police are required?
- Why do you want the police?
You will also be asked for your name and the number that you are calling from.
Calling from a mobile
Calls to 999 or 112 are free on all mobile phones. You can even call these numbers when you have no credit and can't make any calls. Additionally they will work across networks, so even if you don't have a signal if the phone can pick up another network it will use that. But, obviously, if it can't get any signal then it won't work... so don't try calling from down a mine.
Calling from online phone services
There are no requirements to make online phone (VoIP) services such as Skype have to allow you to call 999. However they must tell you about this limitation.
Hoax calls
Not only are you endangering the lives of others, you could face prosecution. Think before you make that 'there's a bomb in my school' (I want to wag off classes) call.
Non-emergency situations
In non-emergency situations you should usually contact the local police in the area where the crime has occurred. To contact your local police you should either phone them or go to the nearest police station that has a front office open to the public. You can find information and contact details for all UK police forces. You may also find it useful to write the number in your mobile or by your home phone so it's there if you ever need it.
You can call the non-emergency number for:
- Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property;
- Noisy neighbours;
- Threatening and abusive behaviour;
- Abandoned vehicles;
- Rubbish and litter, including fly tipping;
- Drunk or rowdy behaviour in public places;
- Drug-related anti-social behaviour;
- Problems with street lighting.
Thanks to the Metropolitan Police Service for their help compiling this article.
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