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Phone fault cuts homes' 999 link Homes' 999 link back after fault
(about 9 hours later)
The 999 emergency telephone number is failing to work in parts of the Pontypridd area on Monday evening, say South Wales Police. The 999 emergency telephone number system in parts of Pontypridd has been repaired after being out on action on Monday night, say South Wales Police.
A technical fault means homes with an 01443 area code and a telephone number starting with 20 or 21 are having difficulty reaching 999. A technical fault meant homes with an 01443 area code and a telephone number starting with 20 or 21 were affected.
Police said people in those areas who needed to make a 999 call should dial 01443 485351 instead. People in Talbot Green and Church Village were unable to dial 999 for five hours while BT repaired the fault.
Mobile phones and other landlines can still successfully dial 999. Extra police patrols were made in the area and local councillors and the neighbourhood watch worked together.
Supt Tony Smith, operational commander of the Taff and Rhondda area, said patrols had been stepped up in the affected areas while BT continued its efforts to correct the technical fault. Inspector Paul McCarthy of South Wales Police's Communications Division said:"I am pleased to say that this set back in our communications system has not adversely effected our service to the public in Talbot Green and Church Village.
He said: "Church Village and Talbot Green police stations will be staffed until normal service is resumed in order to provide a point of contact and reassurance for the public. "During the period that the 999 system was effected, the public were able to contact us reporting six separate incidents between 4 and 10pm," he said.
"We have identified potentially vulnerable residents and industrial sites in the area and we are working with the other emergency services and partner agencies to minimise the impact." "Fortunately none of those incidents were critical to the safety of the public, and included reports of dangerous driving, minor theft and a vehicle failing to pay for petrol.