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Owl disrupts Avon and Somerset police's phone system Owl disrupts Avon and Somerset police's phone system
(about 5 hours later)
An owl has caused serious problems for a police force's computer and phone systems after it flew into power cables.An owl has caused serious problems for a police force's computer and phone systems after it flew into power cables.
Avon and Somerset Police is urging people to call 999 only if they have a genuine emergency and avoid the non-emergency 101 service. Avon and Somerset Police had to urge people to call 999 only if they had a genuine emergency and avoid the non-emergency 101 service.
The police headquarters said neighbouring forces were supporting them with their 999 call response. The police headquarters said neighbouring forces supported them with their 999 call response on Monday.
Engineers are working to rectify the problem. The problem was rectified at about 16:15 BST.
The accident at 03:30 BST on Monday took out most of the power at Police HQ in Portishead. The accident at 03:30 BST on Monday took out most of the power at Portishead's police HQ.
Becky Tipper, centre manager for communications at Avon and Somerset Police, said they had staff coming in on their day off to make sure anyone dialling 999 could still get through.Becky Tipper, centre manager for communications at Avon and Somerset Police, said they had staff coming in on their day off to make sure anyone dialling 999 could still get through.
The force usually receives about 3,000 calls on a typical bank holiday Monday, she said, and would be "extra busy". The force usually received about 3,000 calls on a typical bank holiday Monday, she said, and would be "extra busy".
A back-up service is now running from Taunton and Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Police are helping field calls. 'Ruffled feathers'
She said: "We are running our 999 service and a reduced 101 service but problems are still ongoing so we would ask people to think before you call as we need to keep those emergency lines free for people who really need our help. A back-up service ran from Taunton and Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Police helped field calls.
"We are working tirelessly to rectify the problem." A spokesman said: "We're pleased to confirm that all systems are now back up and running and normal bank holiday service has been resumed.
She added: "This is a freak accident, an extremely rare occurrence." "We would once again like to thank everyone for their patience and support, whilst we worked to rectify matters and apologise for the inconvenience caused."
A statement on the force website read: "We currently have computer and phone problems which is affecting our ability to respond to your calls. He said many people had asked about the owl's fate.
"We are responding to 999 emergency calls but would urge that only genuine 999 calls for assistance are made to us. "We don't know for sure," he added.
"Thank you for your patience and support." "But we certainly hope our feathered friend escaped without injury and was unaware of the feathers he ruffled, to keep us on our toes today."
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. 111 is a 24-hour medical advice line, also for non-emergency enquiries.
Emergency calls to 999 were unaffected by the issue.Emergency calls to 999 were unaffected by the issue.