Police chiefs have warned that an Android characteristic is triggering a wave of unintended 999 calls.
Management rooms have reported a surge in ‘silent calls’ since a brand new SOS emergency perform was rolled out on Android.
It permits customers to name 999 by urgent the ability button 5 occasions or extra.
However authorities declare the characteristic implies that many customers are unknowingly pocket-dialling, overwhelming name operators with no response on the road.
‘Nationally, all emergency companies are at present experiencing file excessive 999 name volumes,’ the Nationwide Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) stated.
Police chiefs declare an SOS Android characteristic is the reason for unintended silent calls
‘There’s a couple of causes for this however one we expect is having a big impression is an replace to Android smartphones.
‘These “silent calls” as they’re named, are directed to police management rooms and the consequence has been a big improve in silent calls.’
Police Scotland, Devon & Cornwall Police and the Metropolitan Police are amongst quite a few forces which have reported an inflow in these calls.
Final Sunday, slightly below 170 silent calls had been made to the Devon and Cornwall pressure alone – with the speed hovering by 25 per cent over the previous month.
In the meantime, call-handlers at Northamptonshire Police additionally acquired greater than 1,000 of those calls final month, ITVX reported.
However this subject goes past the UK, because the European Emergency Quantity Affiliation (EENA) raised the alarm only a few weeks in the past.
Govt Director, Gary Machado, wrote: ‘Each Google and Samsung are conscious of the matter and are releasing updates that are being rolled out now or very quickly and till the top of June.
‘EENA hopes to see a lower within the variety of computerized false calls shortly and strongly encourages our members to share their very own experiences on the matter.’
Police Scotland, Devon & Cornwall Police and the Metropolitan Police (pictured) are among the many quite a few forces which have reported an inflow in these calls
Should you proceed to expertise this subject, Google means that Android homeowners can swap off the SOS setting.
To take action, customers can head to their ‘Settings’ menu earlier than tapping on ‘Security and Emergency’.
Right here, an ‘Emergency SOS’ characteristic ought to be seen, which may be switched off utilizing the slide instrument.
Nonetheless, the tech large assured MailOnline the difficulty could be resolved shortly.
‘Protecting Android customers protected and public security infrastructure out there are high priorities,’ a Google spokesman stated.
‘Android helps Emergency SOS as a result of it could assist customers contact 911 extra rapidly in emergency conditions.
‘To assist these producers stop unintentional emergency calls on their gadgets, Android is offering them with further steerage and assets.
‘We anticipate system producers will roll out updates to their customers that handle this subject shortly. Customers that proceed to expertise this subject ought to contact their system’s producer.’
Even nonetheless, anybody who by chance calls 999 is urged to talk to police anyway to make it clear they don’t seem to be in hassle.
The NPCC continued: ‘Calls to 999 the place the operator can’t hear anybody on the road (silent calls) are by no means simply ignored. Name handlers will then have to spend invaluable time attempting to name you again to test whether or not you need assistance.
‘Should you do by chance dial 999, please don’t cling up. If attainable, please keep on the road and let the operator comprehend it was an accident and that you just don’t want any help.’
