By
A new campaign is showing people how they can alert police that they are in danger but need to keep quiet while dialling 999.
Around 20,000 silent 999 calls are made every day in the UK, but they may be mistaken for a hoax and hung up.
A system is being launched to allow people that are in frightening situations to make an emergency call even if they are too frightened to make a sound.
A silent 999 call will not automatically bring help.
The system will enable a 999 caller who is not able to speak to press 55 when prompted, which will then let the police know that they are in a genuine emergency.
Pressing 55 has been in operation since 2002, but the new campaign is hoping it can raise awareness that a silent 999 call will not automatically bring help.
Many people think the police will automatically attend a silent 999 call but this is not true. Callers have to listen and respond to questions and instructions. Which can include coughing or tapping the handset if possible. If using a mobile once you are prompted by the automated Silent Solution System pressing 55.
The campaign follows the death of a woman who was killed by her ex -partner. She tried to dial 999 silently, she did not respond to the BT operator and was transferred to Silent Solution. But because 55 was not pressed the call was terminated.
The IOPC found during the investigation into police contact with the woman, that there is a lack of public awareness of the Silent System Solution. The information needs to be shared as widely as possible it could potentially save a life.
Contact Gi Grimsby
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
Follows us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest local stories, breaking news and to join the conversation
