Wiltshire Police recently provided an urgent update regarding issues with their 101 phone line and delays in answering 999 calls. The police force attributed the problem to technical difficulties in their control room. While 999 emergency calls are being answered with slight delays, the 101 telephone service is currently unavailable.
Nevertheless, the police emphasized that the 101 function on their website remains operational and encouraged individuals to use it for reporting non-emergency crimes. Efforts are underway to restore the phone service promptly.
In a statement, Wiltshire Police acknowledged the technical challenges affecting their control room and the outage of the 101 telephone service. They reassured the public that emergency calls reporting crimes in progress will be answered, albeit with delays. The police also thanked the community for their understanding and patience during this time.
Earlier this year, concerns were raised about ambulance call handlers facing high rates of sick leave and resignations due to the stress of managing 999 calls and extended NHS ambulance wait times. Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests revealed significant sick leave among call handlers, leading to burnout and a notable turnover rate within the profession.
The emotional toll of handling distressing calls for extended shifts was highlighted by call handlers, underscoring the challenges they face daily. The impact on frontline emergency staff, exacerbated by prolonged ambulance response times, has prompted discussions on improving support for these essential workers.
In a related incident in June 2023, technical issues with phone lines resulted in the failure of emergency 999 calls nationwide. During this period, individuals were advised to contact 101 for police and fire emergencies or 111 for medical emergencies. BT, the service provider, acknowledged the system failure and assured the public that measures were in place to address the situation promptly. The primary 999 service was subsequently restored, and investigations into the root cause of the disruption were ongoing.
