People are being told not to contact 999 this morning (Sunday) as a result of a ‘technical issue’.
An issue with the systems at BT has meant that a large portion of the United Kingdom – including here on the Isle of Wight – are unable to get through to anyone when calling 999.
Instead, those ringing in an emergency are urged to call 101 for police and fire, and for medical emergencies call 111.
A spokesperson from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has said:
“Our colleagues at BT are having significant systems issues this morning and as things stand the 999 system is down.”
It is unclear when the issue will be resolved.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have called out retained firefighters to man fire stations around the island to act as a drop-in centre for those requiring an emergency.
You can also still use the Police’s online reporting tools here: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/
UPDATE @ 09:25 – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary have said that calls are now able to be taken through the usual channels once again.
A spokesperson from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have said:
“Following issues this morning with the national 999 system we have been informed that the backup 999 system is now operational and emergency calls can now be taken. +
“Please contact 999 in an emergency.
“We continue to work with partners to ensure that calls are received, if you do experience difficulties getting through contact 101.”
Likely the Russians getting their ‘own back’
Expect ever more of this for our foolish help with our instant ‘bestees’ who pre the war, no one had ever heard of.
Kinder to them and us to had just sent white flags, no killing maiming, dogs and cats left in fear to starve, give in to those who you can never beat quickly, or watch you land become a ‘battle ground’ for West v East test of power.
Likely to escalate into WW3, and then watch how many ‘current’ Brits ‘suddenly’ revert back to no wanting to be a UK citizen. Perhaps the dingies would then be full in the opposite direction, more likely though they would stay to repopulate the women whilst the real Brits were fighting.
Interesting times.
Are you okay
Phil Collins…No Jacket Required
Ms, Onehand Engineer…Straight Jacket Required!
Don’t do drugs, kids.
Want to buy any shroomz
What the hell are you drunk
It took me 45 minutes to get through on 101 at 6:30 am last week !!!
101 is sh*t sadly people pass away waiting for some moron to answer the phone
Hopefully, they will actually have more than the part-time office cleaner (who normally answers the 101 calls when he/she has a tea break) to man the phones at the moment.
TECHNICAL FAULT == Tories cutting services so they can funnel money into the accounts of their mates.
Oh to be thick and ignorant!!
The only thing wrong with that comment is that he only mentioned Tories… All of parliament is at it
It was faulty router software following an overnight update owned and operated by a private company. Absolutely nothing to do with the government.
HORRIBLENASTYTORIES let’s all become Communists
Pointless ringing them anyway. They do nothing until it’s too late.
Pathetic,this could cost lives ,somebody needs to be held accountable !!!!!!
Yours is the only news outlet I’ve found so far that has actually noticed that most of the country can’t use their phones! Down here on Niton Undercliff, we still can’t – though as I’ve not needed to call 999 I don’t know if that’s working. You’d have thought this might have merited space on the Guardian’s front page, but – not a sausage.
Oh dear! Not ideal. When the alternative is a slow call centre. These things do happen in a computer-led world.