Archived decisions

999 SYSTEM FAILURE

1. The Authority has been kept updated concerning the failure of the BT telephone system which occurred at 1836 hours on Thursday 25 April 2002 and caused the failure of the 999 system for all the emergency services.

2. As a result, there has been dialogue between the Constabulary and BT at the highest levels with regard to the technical problems which gave rise to the failure and seeking assurances about proposed solutions.

3. The Authority praised the efforts of all Constabulary personnel who ensured that a comprehensive police service was maintained under such difficult circumstances and acknowledged that the emergency services were uniquely dependant on a robust and reliable telephone system. In addition, the Home Office, who recognised the significance of the failure, are being kept briefed on developments.

4. The Authority is continuing to be kept informed about developments and will be considering a further update at its meeting in July. BT has agreed to address the Authority on the system failure and this will be held after the publication of an OFTEL report into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

4IR09702