Police, fire and ambulance services ask people not to call 999 after ‘technical fault’ hits number of forces

Police, fire and ambulance services across the UK have asked people not to call 999 due to a “technical fault”.

London’s Metropolitan Police – the UK’s largest force – said many 999 calls were not connecting and advised people to phone 101 in an emergency until further notice. It said the issue was affecting a “number of forces”.

Police Scotland, South Wales Police, Greater Manchester Police and Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) also shared the same post on Twitter, while Scottish Fire and Rescue Service warned that “many calls” to 999 were not connecting.

West Yorkshire Police said the issue was with BT’s 999 lines and that the company was experiencing issues “all over the country”, while Northamptonshire Police also described the technical fault as “nationwide”.

A BT spokesperson said its back up platform was “now working” and that people should call 999 “as usual”, while a several police forces said its 999 lines were now taking emergency calls.

Full list of services affected as fire, police and ambulance ask public not to dial 999

NHS England said the issue was “affecting the national 999 call system” and urged those unable to contact 999 in a medical emergency to call 111 who will redirect the call.

Northamptonshire Police said BT were working to get this fault resolved “as soon as possible” and urged people to make non-emergency reports via its website.

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A spokesperson for BT said in a statement: “Early this morning, we experienced a problem with the 999 service.

“The situation is fast-moving as we fix the problem and our back-up platform is now working – so people should call 999 as usual.

“We will provide updates as the issue is resolved.”

Cumbria Police said it was now receiving 999 calls following the technical fault and urged people to call 999 in an emergency.

Dorset Police said it had received an update from BT that 999 calls could “now be taken”, but urged those still experiencing trouble getting through to call 101 in an emergency.

“Please only call in an emergency and while we are experiencing this issue, please wait to call 101 with non-emergency matters or report non-emergency incidents online,” the force said in a post on Twitter.

Alongside police forces, fire and rescue services shared their own alert.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said in a Twitter post: “Following a critical technical issue that is affecting emergency services nationally, calls to 999 are not currently working.

“Until resolved, you should contact 101 in any emergency. We will update you when it’s resolved.”

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, in a post on Twitter, said the issue was with the national 999 system and gave local numbers for people to call in an emergency.

London Ambulance Service and the North West Ambulance Service shared similar messages on Twitter.

Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, speaking to Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, described the news as “concerning”.