WARWICKSHIRE POLICE are asking members of the public to tell them you’re safe if you accidentally dial 999.
It follows a significant rise in the number of ‘silent 999 calls’ to Warwickshire Police’s force control room over the past few weeks.
A ‘silent call’ is where one of the call handlers answers the phone, and there’s no response on the other end.
Although it can be done purposefully – such as when someone is experiencing domestic abuse and can’t speak – much of the time, it is accidental, with the person not realising they’ve called us.
Demand for Warwickshire Police’s 999 service has increased; they received 10,754 999 calls in June. However, more than a quarter (26 per cent) of these – 2,181 calls to 999 – were silent calls.
The countywide percentage is reflected by Kenilworth, where between 19 June and 18 July 2023, there were exactly 200 calls made to 999. Out of that 200, some 51 (25.5%) were silent 999 calls.
Chief Superintendent Mike Smith of Warwickshire Police, responsible for the force’s Public Contact team, says
“Although summer is traditionally a time of higher demand for the force, we’re getting more than 100 silent calls per day on average, some of which are preventable.
“We never ignore silent calls, and our call handlers will need to spend time establishing whether the call was intentional.
“If you do dial 999 accidentally, please don’t hang up. Please stay on the line and let our call handler know it was a mistake and you don’t need our help.
“This will save them valuable time – time that could be spent dealing with a genuine 999 emergency.”
Emergency services nationally are currently experiencing record-high 999 call volumes, and a contributing factor is believed to be an update to Android smartphones.
The update, which has added a new SOS emergency function, means you can call 999 by pressing the power button five times consecutively.
Ch Supt Smith added: “Although the Android update has impacted the number of silent 999 calls we’re getting, we know it’s possible to dial 999 accidentally from any smartphone.
“Please take 30 seconds to check your settings and share this issue with your friends and family so they know how to avoid making silent calls or pocket-dialling us.
“There are many ways you can get in touch. If you need to report a crime or issue that’s not an emergency, please visit our website: www.warwickshire.police.uk, where you can also find guidance and crime prevention advice.
“If a crime is in progress, there is an immediate danger to life or concern for safety, always call 999.”
Kenilworth Watch 