Gransnet forums

News & politics

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise

Silent 999 calls

(3 Posts)
Add comment | Report
Auntieflo Tue 22-Nov-16 19:48:10

On Ch4 news, there was an item about Silent 999 calls. I had never realised there was such a thing. It would appear that if someone makes a 999 call and cannot speak, they should then tap 55 in quick succession, or the caller could be asked to tap the screen, by an automated answer. If this happens, the call would then be diverted as an emergency call. This is supposed to prevent the many 999 calls that are made in error. I may have got the order of responses wrong, but wondered whether anyone else knew about this practice

Add comment | Report
petra Tue 22-Nov-16 19:57:02

I had never heard of this, but in the case on channel 4 neither did the person answering the call. The poor young woman was murdered.

Add comment | Report
tanith Tue 22-Nov-16 20:52:19

Silent calls are transferred to the automated system and after a time a recording asks you to tap in 55 to show that someone is there if there is no response the call is cut off but an operator can override the transfer to the automated system should they hear something they think suspicious.
That's how it works but of course its not perfect and there will be failures.

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise