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101 and 111 non-emergency numbers 'restored' after fault 101 and 111 non-emergency numbers restored after fault
(about 2 hours later)
Non-emergency police and NHS phone numbers have been "restored", Vodafone has said, after technical issues affected services for several hours. Non-emergency police and NHS phone lines are working again, Vodafone has said, after technical issues affected services for a number of hours.
At least 23 police forces - including all four Welsh forces and the Met Police - reported problems with the 101 line from 09:00 GMT on Saturday. Police forces across England, Wales and Scotland reported problems with 101 on Saturday morning, while the 111 NHS number also went down.
The 111 NHS line was also down. Lines were fixed by 13:00 GMT, Vodafone said. Vodafone, which operates both numbers, apologised and is investigating. It said the lines were fixed by 13:00 GMT.
The company, which operates the police and NHS lines, apologised and said it would carry out a "full investigation". Ofcom said it was investigating the problem "as a matter of urgency".
"Our engineers have worked hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and services have now been restored," Vodafone said. The telecoms watchdog said it was in contact with Vodafone "to fully understand the issues".
It said it would continue to monitor the service closely, adding: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused." 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.
Emergency calls to 999 number were unaffected, police and health officials said. 'Monitor lines'
'Technical problem' 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.
The 101 phone number is for local police in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, for less urgent matters than a 999 call. Emergency calls to 999 were unaffected by the issue.
111 is a 24-hour medical advice line, also for non-emergency enquiries. 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."
Motoring organisation RAC said it was unable to receive calls from members between 04:00 GMT and 12:30 GMT. Vodafone said it would continue to monitor the non-emergency lines closely, adding: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
"Our patrols spent this morning driving their busiest areas to help any motorists in difficulty," it said in a statement.
"Vodafone have now informed us that the problem has been fixed and we are now receiving calls."
It said workers were working through a backlog calls, adding: "We apologise for any issues this may have caused."
A spokesman for the Home Office, which oversees 101, said it had been working with Vodafone to resolve the problems "as soon as possible".
"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," the spokesman said.
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, NHS England said. 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.