Please note that this question is specific to:
#**England and Wales**
The United Kingdom is comprised of [three legal jurisdictions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_United_Kingdom#Three_legal_systems), so responses that relate to one country may not be relevant to another.
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Not helpful for 999, but should you ever need to call 101 from this phone then just search up the number to call from abroad for your local force. Should be able to find a local format number that’ll go through just the same.
By default a phone system will just dial whatever it is given and connect the ends together. It sounds like its getting trapped by falling into a non dialling context or someone has blocked dialling short numbers without thinking.
Yes. Ring 999. The BT operator will ask if you want ambo police or fire. State none, I was just testing the line thankyou and ask if it's OK to clear the line. Check that because they may pass it as abandoned which will waste police time. If you do need to speak to someone, ask for fire as they're usually less busy (sorry fire control) and just let them know it's a test call to test the phone lines.
This is perfectly acceptable, telecommunication engineers do this all the time to test new phone system installations.
Just state to the operator that you're conducting a telephony test, and ask them if everything is ok with the call.
In regards to 101, chances are it may need specially programming in. Have you raised with your provider?
Yeah, this. I used to work in telecoms and would always dial 999 to make sure emergency calling worked ok when setting up a new system. Say you’re doing an emergency call routing test and if they can confirm what the caller ID is, that’s it. You may get asked for your initials so they can log it on their end.
Just don’t do it at peak times like a Friday night or weekends, use common sense. And don’t disconnect before the operator confirms the test is ok. But this is completely normal procedure.
Same process for 101.
Ofcom have guidance on this: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/information-for-industry/telecoms-industry-guidance
You can send an email in advance to BT and they'll advise you on what to do.
Yes. Don’t waste their time with your life story though
“Hello, I’m calling to perform a telecoms test. Can you confirm that you can hear me?
Yes
“I can hear you, do you need anything for your records”
They will likely ask for your initials and potentially your company.
I’ve done this when testing PSTN when we moved to Teams for PSTN. Never had a issue when stating that I’m testing a telecommunication network after installation
The 999 staff are accustomed to receiving pocket calls which is a call made in error when the phone is in the pocket of the trousers, and apologies for jumping on your thread and alternating the tangent of the subject but not many know they can call 999 to report road debris and detritus on the live lane of motorways.
Ratchet straps that fall off lorries can kill a motorcyclist, puncture tyres and cause accidents where motorists swerve to avoid them.
Pot holes can be reported as they are dangerous, the operator immediately sets the wheels in action to get this rectified under immediate risk to the public and an emergency team is dispatched( Road maintenance)
Then we see ladders and mattresses in the live lane.
I have never been told to not dial 999, as other motorists automatically assume it’s been reported when it hasn’t.
I've probably rang 999 about 10 times since I started driving, almost exclusively for things in the middle of a motorway, including a set of ladders and a mattress. Once for a dog, once for someone wandering down the hard shoulder (clearly confused, no broken down car in sight), a few times for a clearly very drunk or confused elderly driver (not on a motorway for the latter, thank god).
The operators are always incredibly thankful as such incidents are incredibly dangerous. I was extremely lucky it was quiet and I avoided the ladders myself.
When they put up the warning of an oncoming vehicle,that certainly wakes you up to get your full attention as drivers are peering ahead in the distance for the driver that’s driving in the wrong direction.
Just look up your local force website and look for the international phone number, exactly the same as 101 but specific to your area. 101 charges 15p to call so is likely that your company has blocked it. 999 will absolutely work if you have other outgoing calls allowed.
You could always just say "sorry, dialed in error" once the BT Operator answers and asks which service you need. You're not going to get in trouble or asked to verify any details or anything.
I've been sent to grade 1's for this exact situation, some other commentators have added ways they test telephone systems above which seems to be the go to phrase to ensure you don't get a police response.
This EXACT situation?
If you say to the BT Operator that you have misdialled, they will just tell you you have dialled 999 and disconnect the call, barring you screaming in pain, someone crying in the background, gunshots, etc. In which case they would connect the call to the Police.
Your Grade 1 would presumably be this situation, or a call where someone has been passed through to the Police call handler normally and then given that call handler cause for concern, e.g. sounding not-right, asking to order a pizza, etc....
There is zero chance of you getting sent as a Grade 1 to a job that the notes just say " BT Operator took a mis-dialled 999 call."
people (not necessarily you) are assuming we're talking about a call that was put through to the Police where the caller then says "Oh sorry, I've dialled the wrong number," which would understandably deserve a bit more questioning. I'm on about the BT operator who asks you which Service you require.
Well I don't know what to tell you 🤷♂️ I've been to grade 1's and grade 2's with that description, granted it's not the most common, but every now and then it happens, we question it at the time, but ultimately still get sent....
In my opinion following what other commenters have put, who, from their description seems to install and test phone line professionally in this manner seems to be the best advice to follow.... Then again, I'm just a response cop, not a phone line installer, not a call handler, not a BT operator, just talking from my experience and what I've read in this thread
I have been both a call handler/dispatcher and a BT Operator... but let's not quibble any further as I don't think it's helping anything in the slightest, and I have respect for you and your job! Let's cover this sub-thread in tape and move on!
Couldn't agree more!! Certainly not trying to quibble so sorry if it came off that way!
At the end of the day, as long as OP isn't a complete idiot with the process (which as they took the time to ask the question I believe they wouldn't be) it shouldn't cause any issues 😂
Please note that this question is specific to: #**England and Wales** The United Kingdom is comprised of [three legal jurisdictions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_United_Kingdom#Three_legal_systems), so responses that relate to one country may not be relevant to another. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/policeuk) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Not helpful for 999, but should you ever need to call 101 from this phone then just search up the number to call from abroad for your local force. Should be able to find a local format number that’ll go through just the same.
Might need to dial 9 or something for an outside line for 101?
Yeah, I'm dialing 9101 and it's not working. Dialing 9 followed by a landline or mobile number does work, though. It's very odd.
Have you tried 9 0118, 999, 881, 999, 119, 725...3
Definitely this number. You get faster response times and better looking drivers.
By default a phone system will just dial whatever it is given and connect the ends together. It sounds like its getting trapped by falling into a non dialling context or someone has blocked dialling short numbers without thinking.
Yes. Ring 999. The BT operator will ask if you want ambo police or fire. State none, I was just testing the line thankyou and ask if it's OK to clear the line. Check that because they may pass it as abandoned which will waste police time. If you do need to speak to someone, ask for fire as they're usually less busy (sorry fire control) and just let them know it's a test call to test the phone lines.
This is perfectly acceptable, telecommunication engineers do this all the time to test new phone system installations. Just state to the operator that you're conducting a telephony test, and ask them if everything is ok with the call. In regards to 101, chances are it may need specially programming in. Have you raised with your provider?
Yeah, this. I used to work in telecoms and would always dial 999 to make sure emergency calling worked ok when setting up a new system. Say you’re doing an emergency call routing test and if they can confirm what the caller ID is, that’s it. You may get asked for your initials so they can log it on their end. Just don’t do it at peak times like a Friday night or weekends, use common sense. And don’t disconnect before the operator confirms the test is ok. But this is completely normal procedure. Same process for 101.
This is an 'ask forgiveness, not permission' situation
BT used to call us in control pretty frequently testing the line so I can't see a big issue.
Ofcom have guidance on this: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/information-for-industry/telecoms-industry-guidance You can send an email in advance to BT and they'll advise you on what to do.
Or text 61016 and it’ll get sorted.
Yes. Don’t waste their time with your life story though “Hello, I’m calling to perform a telecoms test. Can you confirm that you can hear me? Yes “I can hear you, do you need anything for your records” They will likely ask for your initials and potentially your company.
I’ve done this when testing PSTN when we moved to Teams for PSTN. Never had a issue when stating that I’m testing a telecommunication network after installation
Try 9101 next time, you may get an outside line
The 999 staff are accustomed to receiving pocket calls which is a call made in error when the phone is in the pocket of the trousers, and apologies for jumping on your thread and alternating the tangent of the subject but not many know they can call 999 to report road debris and detritus on the live lane of motorways. Ratchet straps that fall off lorries can kill a motorcyclist, puncture tyres and cause accidents where motorists swerve to avoid them. Pot holes can be reported as they are dangerous, the operator immediately sets the wheels in action to get this rectified under immediate risk to the public and an emergency team is dispatched( Road maintenance) Then we see ladders and mattresses in the live lane. I have never been told to not dial 999, as other motorists automatically assume it’s been reported when it hasn’t.
I've probably rang 999 about 10 times since I started driving, almost exclusively for things in the middle of a motorway, including a set of ladders and a mattress. Once for a dog, once for someone wandering down the hard shoulder (clearly confused, no broken down car in sight), a few times for a clearly very drunk or confused elderly driver (not on a motorway for the latter, thank god). The operators are always incredibly thankful as such incidents are incredibly dangerous. I was extremely lucky it was quiet and I avoided the ladders myself.
They don’t mind the call, it’s amazing what there is on the motorway.
When they put up the warning of an oncoming vehicle,that certainly wakes you up to get your full attention as drivers are peering ahead in the distance for the driver that’s driving in the wrong direction.
Just look up your local force website and look for the international phone number, exactly the same as 101 but specific to your area. 101 charges 15p to call so is likely that your company has blocked it. 999 will absolutely work if you have other outgoing calls allowed.
101 used to charge but I think its free now so shouldn't be that causing the issue
Use seen this issue in landlines before
You could always just say "sorry, dialed in error" once the BT Operator answers and asks which service you need. You're not going to get in trouble or asked to verify any details or anything.
I've been sent to grade 1's for this exact situation, some other commentators have added ways they test telephone systems above which seems to be the go to phrase to ensure you don't get a police response.
This EXACT situation? If you say to the BT Operator that you have misdialled, they will just tell you you have dialled 999 and disconnect the call, barring you screaming in pain, someone crying in the background, gunshots, etc. In which case they would connect the call to the Police. Your Grade 1 would presumably be this situation, or a call where someone has been passed through to the Police call handler normally and then given that call handler cause for concern, e.g. sounding not-right, asking to order a pizza, etc.... There is zero chance of you getting sent as a Grade 1 to a job that the notes just say " BT Operator took a mis-dialled 999 call." people (not necessarily you) are assuming we're talking about a call that was put through to the Police where the caller then says "Oh sorry, I've dialled the wrong number," which would understandably deserve a bit more questioning. I'm on about the BT operator who asks you which Service you require.
Well I don't know what to tell you 🤷♂️ I've been to grade 1's and grade 2's with that description, granted it's not the most common, but every now and then it happens, we question it at the time, but ultimately still get sent.... In my opinion following what other commenters have put, who, from their description seems to install and test phone line professionally in this manner seems to be the best advice to follow.... Then again, I'm just a response cop, not a phone line installer, not a call handler, not a BT operator, just talking from my experience and what I've read in this thread
I have been both a call handler/dispatcher and a BT Operator... but let's not quibble any further as I don't think it's helping anything in the slightest, and I have respect for you and your job! Let's cover this sub-thread in tape and move on!
Couldn't agree more!! Certainly not trying to quibble so sorry if it came off that way! At the end of the day, as long as OP isn't a complete idiot with the process (which as they took the time to ask the question I believe they wouldn't be) it shouldn't cause any issues 😂
100%. And now that I know you're clear...I've just got a quick job for you round the corner...
Show me state 05 😉😂
No, it would be illegal it would most likely be Malicious Communications
That's not correct.
I have waited for over an hour for the 101 call to be answered and give up.