' Is it right to call 999 over mattress in the road?' blog discussion

Paul_Varjak

Some years ago, I saw a field of horses. The gate to the field was open and the horses were all heading towards the open gate which led directly onto the road. I stopped at a phone box and dialled 999. The Police operator got very shirty and said it was not an emergency and that I should call back on a non-emergency number.

I told him, in no uncertain terms, that I had made an emergency call and the fact that I had called he had to act on what I told him. He quickly backed down and took my report.

I also recall a Which? report many many years ago on then type of incidents that should be reported to the Police as emergency or non-emergency. Police officers were questioned as whether they considered such incident to be emergency or non-emergency. Needless to say, there was no consensus among Police Officers what constituted an emergency. Some Police officers even though noisy neighbours required an emergency call!

Paul_Varjak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjNzPfs6Mrk&feature=related

lisawood78

I called 999 myself only 2 days ago after swerving to avoid a full sized metal garden rake in the middle lane of the M6.
Absolutely a 999 moment, Martin you were right

mickadoon

If you're on a motorway, ring the Highways Agency on 0300 123 5000

You'll be given multi-choice options, but just say 'Report' and you'll be put through to an operator.

Hope this helps, and yes, a 999 call was in order, you may have saved a life.

janiebquick

If it's a busy main thoroughfare - absolutely correct to dial 999.

Andy7856

tr3mor wrote: »

You made a public sector worker do some work, so of course she was grumpy!

Should have also told her, "will you miss your final salary pension?"

End of the day the call could have prevented an accident, if the emergency call had not been made and some one had swerved to avoid it and caused a crash then this could have been a different story all together.

No offence to the police, but basically I have no confidence in them whatsover. Sorry but thats my opinion.

spender

Any breakdown on a major road is an emergency and also your mattress is an emergency. Definitely the right call.

Money_Saving_Dude

This one is certainly a no brainer. Anyone hitting that at speed could be seriously injured.

I once saw an A-frame on my local motorway (the sort that holds the large speed signs in the central reservation where there are road works). I rang 999 there and then -- anyone hitting that at speed would have been badly hurt.

But the beggar of it was this. The operator answered immedately and I I asked to be put thorugh to the police. But they took an eternity to answer. So much so the operator was embarrassed and said she was so sorry. Luckily I hadn't just hit an A-frame in the middle of the motorway.

Plasticman

Certainly an appropriate use of 999. The 101 number which is in use in some parts of the country is likely to roll out nationally in the near future so it should become less of an issue (no need to remember local police numbers).

TwistedPsycho

Yes - 999 for something like that, everytime!

Something which goes around our office though (coming back to your postcode business) is also worth wondering and I suspect someone on here such as Amandada would have more knowledge than I, but apparently the 112 emergency facility which offers the same emergency service also tracks your location is you are on a mobile?

I work on the railway and this came about as a discussion on out internal IT infrastructure when a few reports regarding incidents came out (one of them was Greyrigg) and there was critisism that it is very difficult to pin-point a location where the nearest house is an hours drive and not everyone is offay with GPS Map co-ordinates. One of our "rapid responce" staff pointed out that 112 automatically tracks a mobile phone signal using base station proximity (I know that this is definately possible) which can be called upon if needed?

and finally...... someone mentioned 101 - That service is only available in Hampshire & Isle of Wight, most other forces now use a 0870 or 0845 number I believe.