Feel confident about contacting the police
Emergency calls
If you need help in an emergency, you should call 999. These calls are free from any telephone.
An emergency is when:
- Someone’s life is at risk
- Someone is injured
- There is a fire
- Offenders are nearby
- Immediate action is needed
How do I call 999?
For home phones, pay phones and card phones, lift the telephone and press 999 on the keypad.
For mobile phones, press 999 on the keypad and then the ‘call’ button. You can still do this if the keypad is locked and even if you have no credit on the phone.
Your call will go through to an emergency call handler. They will ask you, “Which emergency service do you need?”
Ask for the service you need:
- Police
- Ambulance
- Fire service
- Coastguard
They will connect you to the local control room for the service you have asked for.
The call handler will ask you a few simple questions:
- What has happened?
- What is your name?
- What is the number of the telephone you are calling from?
- Where is the incident?
- Is anyone hurt?
They might ask other questions so that they can help you more quickly. When they are speaking to you, they will also be giving information to officers or paramedics.
Don’t speak too quickly. Answer the questions as calmly as you can.
How do I call 999 if have a disability?
If you are Deaf or hard or hearing, or you are speech impaired, you can still call 999.
You may need to prepare your contact method in advance in case you ever need it. Speak to an adult about how you would call 999 if there is an emergency.
On Minicom or textphone, you can call 18000.
British Sign Language users can use an app called 999 BSL.
You can also text 999, but you must register for this service at www.emergencysms.org.uk.
Non-emergency calls
You should use non-emergency contact options for things that are not urgent. For example:
- You want to report a crime or criminal damage
- You want to report a minor road traffic collision
- You want to contact your local police officer
- You want to enquire about lost property or provide information to the police
- You need information or advice
How do I make a non-emergency call?
There are many ways to contact the police. You can choose the right way for you.
When contacting us in a non-emergency, please consider using our online options first. This will leave the phone lines free for people without internet access.
Report crime online
Record all the details on the online form then submit the form via our website. Our contact centre staff will provide you with a crime reference number.
Call 101
Call 101 for non-emergency enquiries. Our contact centre staff are available to answer your calls day or night.
If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.
Visit us
We have police enquiry offices you can visit to ask questions, tell us something or report crime. For locations and opening times visit our website.
Hoax calls
Every time someone makes a hoax or joke 999 call, they put someone else’s life in danger.
If an ambulance, fire engine or police car go on a hoax call, they are unavailable if someone really needs help. It could be a matter of life or death.
Hoax calls can be traced and hoax callers run the risk of a heavy fine or even a prison sentence.