The Silent Solution

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If you are in danger and need to call the police but cannot speak or make a sound, you can still get help. This is called the Silent Solution.

Steps to call for help

1. Dial 999 from your mobile phone (the Silent Solution does not work from a landline).
2. Listen to the questions from the operator.
3. Respond by coughing or tapping your device, if you can.
4. If you cannot speak, the operator will ask you to press 55. This will alert the police that you are in an emergency and cannot talk.
5. Once you press 55, your call will be transferred to a police call handler. They will try to assess the situation using:
   • background noise
   • keypad responses
   • anything else they can hear

Connecting with an interpreter

To get help as soon as possible, the police have a system to connect you to an interpreter if you do not speak English or if English is not your first language.

What to do when you call

When the operator answers your 999 call, follow these steps:

1. Say “police”, “ambulance”, or “fire” to indicate the service you need.
2. You will be transferred to the service you need.
3. When the call connects, say “Help” and the language you need. For example, say “Help, Nepalese”.

The police will quickly call an interpreter to help you. The line may go quiet for a short time, so do not hang up. You will be connected to a translator in your chosen language to report your emergency.

Practice these words in English to be ready for an emergency.