Calling For Help

Calling the emergency services is straightforward. Here is some additional information that many people have not considered

Last Updated 15 April 2024

In an emergency always call 999

An emergency is described as when: 

  • A crime is in progress
  • Someone who is suspected of a crime is nearby
  • There is danger to life
  • Violence is being used, is imminent, or an attack has taken place.

In these cases, it is essential that:

  1. Police are alerted immediately
  2. You follow their advice/instruction
  3. You maintain the integrity of the scene (do not touch or clean up anything)

In other incidents, where a non-emergency response is required - call 101.

When calling 999

  1. Contact the emergency services as soon as possible. Do not assume a call has already been made.
  2. State you are a high-risk individual and why. Give your location.  You should state in short, simple language what has happened.
  3. Do not put yourself at risk. Identify a safe place to make the call away from danger or use the emergency SOS system described below if it is on the discreet setting.
  4. Phones should be on silent if attackers are nearby. On a mobile, dialling 999 can be followed by 55 for a transfer to the police. Also, you can pre-programme your phone as below.
  5. Police can also be messaged in an emergency using the SMS service (if the phone has been preregistered for this service).

Setting up emergency SOS on your mobile phone

You can set up your mobile telephone so that when activated it will call the emergency services, share location information and message emergency contacts. Once set up, triggering a response will normally involve something like pressing the power button five times. It can be programmed to be noisy or discreet.  It can be cancelled if activated in error.

Setting up emergency SOS features will vary depending on the type of mobile phone you have and the operating system it runs on. However, it is easy to do and information is available online to guide you through the process. See the following links:

Android: Get help during an emergency with your Android phone - Android Help (google.com) 

IOS: Use Emergency SOS on your iPhone – Apple Support (UK)

For Vehicles (eCall): eCall SOS - National Highways 

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