BT says people in Kent can call 999 ‘as normal’ after national landline fault

BT has said people can now call 999 as normal after emergency services warned the public about a national landline fault stopping calls from connecting. The Kent Police was the first to take to social media this morning (June 25) to inform people of the issue impacting their services.

Emergency services across the county experienced similar issues today including Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) and the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb). People were told to call 101 in an emergency.

At around 9.30am, Kent Police told the public to call 101 in an emergency “until further notice” because the national fault meant 999 calls were not connecting. That advice has since changed.

Shortly before 10am, a police spokesperson said: “A national technical issue impacted 999 calls to a number of police forces earlier today. Please still dial 999 in an emergency, however if you can’t get through on 999 call 101 in an emergency.

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“Please only call in an emergency and make non-emergency reports through out website.” SECAmb has also said that while the service is taking 999 calls, those unable to get through need to call 111.

An ambulance spokesperson said: “We are aware that nationally BT’s 999 call system is experiencing some issues. We are now taking 999 calls.