Emergency services in the United Kingdom cannot track someone’s location if the caller dials 55 during a silent 999 call, contrary to claims made online.
One Facebook user (here) uploaded an image of text which reads: “If you ever find yourself dialling 999 and you can't speak press 55 and they can track where you are from dialling location - new technology.
However, multiple British constabularies say on their websites that dialling 55 during a silent 999 call would not allow the police to track someone’s whereabouts (e.g., Metropolitan Police: here, West Yorkshire Police: here and West Midlands Police: here) or automatically send officers to that location.
More information about the police’s ‘Silent Solution’ can be found here.
Dialling 55 during a silent 999 call lets call operators know that someone is in danger and needs help, though it does not allow the emergency services to track a caller’s location.
Persons:
”, –, Read
Organizations:
Independent, Police, Reuters, National Police Chiefs ’ Council, Metropolitan Police, West Yorkshire Police, West Midlands Police, National Fire Chiefs Council, BT
Locations:
United Kingdom, England