When to call 999

Dialling 999 is a must if you are facing an incident or crime right now and you need police help immediately.

Such emergencies may include:

• someone using violence or threatening violence
• there is a danger to life
• serious damage is being or could be caused to a property
• a potential criminal has been disturbed or apprehended
• a road traffic collision where someone is hurt and/or a danger is being caused to other road users.

 

In all other circumstances, you can dial 101 or report the crime online on our main Norfolk Police website.

 

What happens after dialling 999?

You will speak to an operator who will ask you to confirm whether you need police, fire or ambulance.

If you ask for police your call will be connected to a call taker in our Contact and Control Room at police headquarters in Wymondham.

The call taker will need to take your name and address and details of what has happened. This will take time but it is important to get all the information from you.

Details of your call will then be passed to a radio operator who is in contact with police officers on duty on the ground.

How will we respond?

All police calls are graded from A to D according to urgency, with Grade A calls receiving an immediate response.

If your call is an emergency, police officers will be sent to help you straight away, usually action is being taken even while you’re still on the phone to us.

Remember!

Over half 999 calls do not relate to an emergency and could potentially delay police response to an urgent situation happening elsewhere.

Please use common sense. Always dial 999 in an emergency but if your situation does not require immediate police action but is very important, do consider other ways of contacting us - We want to hear from you and assist you in any way we can.