The following advice is from our colleagues at Nottinghamshire Police:
Sometimes it’s not safe for you to speak to one of our call handlers. Whether it is because you are in immediate danger or because it feels too overwhelming to talk, there is always a way for us to help you.
When you dial 999 from a mobile, you are put through to a call centre handled by BT operators who ask you which service you require. If you say nothing but something suspicious is heard by the operator, you are immediately transferred to the police.
While it is recommended that you always speak with our call handlers, Nottinghamshire Police understand that this is not always possible.
If making a sound would put you or someone else in danger you will be transferred to the Silent Solution system.
An automated message will then begin that begins with ‘you are through to the police’ – you will then be asked to press 55 to be put through to police call management. This does not allow police to track your location.
A call handler will then ask you yes or no questions to establish the best course of action. If you cannot speak, you need to listen carefully to what they ask you to do.
Please note that this is different for landlines. When using a landline, if there is no response from a caller, they will be connected to a police call handler immediately.
Other helplines
Domestic abuse helplines are available 24 hours a day and are there for anyone experiencing domestic or sexual abuse:
- Women call 0808 800 0340
- Men call 0115 960 5556
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