What to do and Who to call during an emergency in the United Kingdom

Emergency in the United Kingdom right now? Call 999 or 112 for an ambulance, fire service, police or coastguard when someone faces immediate danger. Give the exact location and follow the operator’s instructions. Make the call first; do not wait to finish reading this guide.

This guide covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The emergency numbers are nationwide, but some non-emergency routes differ between the four nations. The most useful information comes first, followed by explanations for residents, students and visitors. Official sources checked on 2 November 2026.

Quick answer: emergency phone numbers in the UK

999 or 112: free emergency calls for police, ambulance, fire and rescue, or HM Coastguard.
101: non-emergency police reports, enquiries or information when there is no immediate danger.
111: urgent medical advice that is not life-threatening in England, Scotland and Wales, subject to national arrangements. NHS 111 online is available in England, not all four nations.
105: report a power cut in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland uses 03457 643643 for power cuts.
0800 111 999: the National Gas Emergency Service in Great Britain. For gas emergencies in Northern Ireland, call 0800 002 001.
999 for immediate danger to life remains the rule even when another specialised service is also relevant.

Official references: GOV.UK on 999 and 112, GOV.UK on 101, power-cut numbers by nation and NHS emergency ambulance guidance.

First 60 seconds: seven things to do

Make yourself safe. Get away from smoke, violence, traffic, live wires or dangerous water if you can do so without creating further risk.
Call 999 or 112 now. Say which service you need when asked, or describe the emergency if unsure.
State the location. Include house number, road, postcode if known, town, flat or room, floor and the entrance responders should use.
Explain what happened. For example: someone has collapsed; smoke is spreading; a person is threatening another; someone is stranded at sea.
Answer the questions. Give the number of people, signs of injury and any hazards. Say if you do not know something.
Follow instructions and keep the call available. You may receive first-aid directions while help is sent.
Prepare access safely. Ask another person to meet crews at the correct entrance if safe and tell the dispatcher if the situation changes.

A strong example call: ‘Ambulance, please. One person is unconscious at Flat 6, [street address], [town], postcode [code]. We are on the second floor, entrance through [gate]. My number is [telephone].’ Location is not a minor detail: a postcode alone may not identify the correct flat or door.

When should you call 999 rather than 101 or 111?

A person is seriously ill, injured or unresponsive

Call 999 for suspected heart attack, stroke, loss of consciousness, life-threatening breathing difficulty, serious accident or severe bleeding. Describe symptoms, not your diagnosis. Emergency dispatch may give instructions for CPR, use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), positioning or other immediate action. Do not attempt to drive yourself while critically ill; follow the call handler’s advice.

The NHS explains that a 999 call does not automatically mean an ambulance will be sent in every case. The service assesses the urgency and may direct callers to another suitable care pathway. That is a reason to answer questions accurately, not a reason to delay a genuine life-threatening call. See NHS — when to call 999.

There is a fire or smoke in a flat, house, office or hotel

Raise the alarm, warn people you can safely warn, leave through a safe exit and call 999 for fire and rescue. Do not return inside for possessions. Follow the building’s fire-safety instructions: evacuation arrangements differ in some high-rise buildings, and the fire service’s directions take precedence. If you are trapped by smoke or fire, tell the operator the room, floor and exact location. Close doors between you and smoke when safe and follow instructions.

A serious assault, domestic violence, threat or crime is happening

Get somewhere safer, call 999 for police and say exactly what is happening. Report weapons, injuries and suspect descriptions only if actually observed. Do not confront an armed person or pursue someone to gather evidence. For events that are no longer urgent and pose no immediate danger, 101 or official online police reporting may be appropriate.

Someone needs rescue at the coast

Call 999 or 112 and request HM Coastguard when someone is in immediate danger in or near the sea. Give the beach, harbour, cliff, coastal path or closest identifiable landmark. Do not enter dangerous water to attempt a rescue you are not equipped to undertake. A second person in danger makes the situation harder for everyone.

Flooding is threatening homes or roads

Check the official flood warnings for your nation. If a severe flood warning means a danger to life, take action, follow evacuation orders and move to safer ground. Do not drive, cycle or walk through floodwater. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. GOV.UK advises avoiding electrical switches while standing in water and turning off supplies only when safe. Source: what to do during a flood.

Power cuts and gas leaks: the UK nation matters

A power failure without immediate danger should go to the network operator rather than 999. The UK government says to call 105 in England, Scotland and Wales, or 03457 643643 in Northern Ireland. People who depend on powered medical equipment should have a prearranged backup plan with their care team or equipment provider.

In Great Britain, the National Gas Emergency Service number is 0800 111 999; in Northern Ireland the separate emergency number is 0800 002 001. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, avoid flames and switching electrical items on or off, move away from the hazard and call from a safe place. If people face immediate danger to life, also contact emergency services on 999. Sources: National Gas, Northern Ireland gas emergency information and Prepare campaign.

101, 111 and 999: a practical decision tree

Lives or immediate safety are at risk: call 999 or 112 for police, ambulance, fire or coastguard.
A police matter does not need an immediate response: call 101 or use your police force’s official non-emergency route.
You need medical help soon, but symptoms do not suggest a life-threatening emergency: use the relevant NHS 111 service where available, or the official urgent-care arrangements for Northern Ireland.
A routine illness or appointment question: use your GP, pharmacist or another appropriate healthcare route rather than emergency dispatch.

The NHS 111 online website explicitly says it is for England. NHS telephone services differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so a UK-wide guide should not pretend they are identical. For children under five in England, NHS advice directs parents to call 111 rather than relying on its online symptom checker. See NHS 111 online.

When you cannot speak: how the 999 Silent Solution works

For an emergency requiring police where talking would put you at risk, call 999 from a mobile and listen to the operator. Make a small sound such as tapping or coughing if safe. If the call is transferred to the Silent Solution service and you are prompted, press 55 to indicate you need police assistance. Stay connected and follow subsequent instructions.

Important: pressing 55 is not a universal shortcut that silently dispatches police and automatically reveals your location. It is a specific step when prompted in the mobile Silent Solution process. A silent unanswered call may be ended if the operator cannot establish an emergency. People who can speak, even quietly, should give a location and clear request when safe. Source: Independent Office for Police Conduct, Silent Solution.

People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech impairments can investigate appropriate emergencySMS or relay options and any registration requirements in advance. Do not assume a new phone is already set up for a specific accessibility service.

What to tell an operator in different British locations

A flat, tower, hotel or campus

Say the building name, postcode, street, flat or room number, floor and the specific entrance. Large properties have more than one route, and giving a clear way in reduces searching. If someone can meet the crew without danger, ask them to stand at the correct doorway.

A motorway, rural road or rail-side location

Give the road number, junction, carriageway direction, nearest village, mile or marker sign and the side of the road if known. Do not walk into dangerous traffic to collect a detail. Report what can be observed safely and tell the operator if you are unsure.

A beach, harbour, cliff or public park

Give the landmark, named path, nearest access point, sign or map coordinates when available. If a person is trapped or injured, say whether access is by sea, footpath or road. A precise description helps the operator choose how responders can reach the scene.

How to help safely while responders are on the way

Stay in a safe place, keep the phone accessible and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.
Watch for changes in breathing, responsiveness or bleeding. If CPR is required, follow the dispatcher and any training you have received.
Move no one with a suspected serious injury unnecessarily unless there is immediate danger and the circumstances require it.
Make entry easier for responders: use the correct entrance, secure pets and tell the crew about any access problem.
Report missing people after an evacuation, but do not go back into a fire or unsafe building to search without rescue training.
Keep children, older adults and people with disabilities with a safe helper; describe essential medication or mobility requirements to responders.
If a hazard worsens or you must move, update the operator so responders are not sent to the wrong place.

A useful emergency plan for your home

Write your address and postcode clearly on paper, including the flat or unit number and nearest entrance.
Know how to leave safely during fire, flooding or another local risk, and where household members should meet.
Keep phones charged and have an accessible torch, basic supplies and a backup way to receive official updates.
Record important medical needs, equipment, accessibility requirements and safe contact methods.
Write the right local utility numbers for your nation; Northern Ireland numbers can differ from those used in Great Britain.
Check official alerts for flooding, storms and other hazards, and follow evacuation instructions without delay.

Mistakes that cost time

Calling 101 for an assault or other incident where someone is in immediate danger.
Using 111 instead of 999 for a suspected stroke or heart attack.
Assuming gas and electricity emergency numbers are identical in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Pressing 55 without listening for the Silent Solution prompt or expecting it to reveal your exact location.
Providing only the town or postcode and omitting the flat, floor or building entrance.
Returning into smoke, crossing floodwater or attempting an unsafe water rescue.
Sharing unverified messages online instead of the information that emergency services need.

Frequently asked questions

Is 112 equivalent to 999 in the United Kingdom?

Yes. Both are recognised UK national emergency numbers. GOV.UK describes 112 as the pan-European equivalent of 999 within the United Kingdom.

Is calling 999 free?

Yes. The UK government confirms that 999 and 112 emergency calls are free. Your ability to make a call can still be affected by connection, device damage or battery loss.

Should I call 999 for a power cut?

For an ordinary power cut, use the electricity network contact: 105 in England, Scotland and Wales or 03457 643643 in Northern Ireland. Call 999 when a situation creates immediate danger to life, such as a serious electrical injury or fire.

What if I cannot speak during a police emergency?

Call 999, listen to the operator and use the mobile Silent Solution process as instructed. If prompted, press 55. It is not a substitute for providing your location when you can safely communicate.

Does NHS 111 online work throughout the UK?

No. NHS 111 online is an England service. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements for urgent non-emergency medical advice. Use the official service for the nation you are in.

Who do I call if someone is in trouble at sea?

Call 999 or 112 and request the coastguard. Explain exactly where the person is, what happened and the nearest safe access point.

Official sources and next useful guides

Safety note: This guide is general information, not an emergency dispatch service. Details were checked on 2 November 2026, and some services vary by location or change over time. In an active life-threatening emergency in the UK, call 999 or 112 now.