999 – The main emergency number
This is the emergency number for police, ambulance, fire brigade, coastguard, cliff rescue, mountain rescue, cave rescue, etc.
Note the important word ‘EMERGENCY’. This number should be used only when urgent attendance by the emergency services is required – for example someone is seriously ill or injured, or a crime is in progress.
Calls are free, and 999 can be dialled from a locked mobile phone.
Dial 999
112 – Another emergency number
This operates exactly the same as 999 and directs you to exactly the same emergency call centre.
The important thing about 112 is that it will work on a mobile phone anywhere in the world.
In the UK, 112 also works on landline phones.
Calls are free and 112 can also be dialled from locked mobile phone.
Dial 112
101 – The non-emergency number for the police
Use 101 when you want to contact the police, but it’s not an emergency – i.e. an immediate response is not necessary and/or will not be serve any purpose.
Dial 101
