This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30159433
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
101 and 111 non-emergency numbers restored after fault | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Non-emergency police and NHS phone lines are working again, Vodafone has said, after technical issues affected services for a number of hours. | |
Police forces across England, Wales and Scotland reported problems with 101 on Saturday morning, while the 111 NHS number also went down. | |
Vodafone, which operates both numbers, apologised and is investigating. It said the lines were fixed by 13:00 GMT. | |
Ofcom said it was investigating the problem "as a matter of urgency". | |
The telecoms watchdog said it was in contact with Vodafone "to fully understand the issues". | |
Motoring organisation RAC said its breakdown number also went down this morning after "Vodafone suffered a catastrophic failure to its telephone equipment" affecting "many large businesses" who use its services. | |
'Monitor lines' | |
The 101 phone number is for local police in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, for less urgent matters than a 999 call. 111 is a 24-hour medical advice line, also for non-emergency enquiries. | |
Emergency calls to 999 were unaffected by the issue. | |
A spokesman for the Home Office, which oversees 101, said: "There was a technical problem affecting the 101 service this morning but we have worked with our supplier, Vodafone, to address this and can now confirm that this issue has been resolved." | |
Vodafone said it would continue to monitor the non-emergency lines closely, adding: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused." | |
NHS England said a national divert and back-up lines had ensured disruption to patients was "kept to a minimum." | NHS England said a national divert and back-up lines had ensured disruption to patients was "kept to a minimum." |
The national backup meant many callers either received a voiced message giving them an alternative number or had been transferred to a national line, it said. | |
Others received an engaged tone, it said, adding: "The early assessment is that these procedures worked well." | Others received an engaged tone, it said, adding: "The early assessment is that these procedures worked well." |
RAC said it had been unable to receive calls from members between 04:00 GMT and 12:30. | |
"Our patrols spent this morning driving their busiest areas to help any motorists in difficulty," it said in a statement. | |
A spokesman added it had "caused significant problems" and it was "extremely frustrated" by the fault. |