Huge increase in ‘pocket dial’ 999 calls from phones

Leicestershire Police have seen a 25% increase in these types of calls.

Officers are appealing to residents to check a recent phone update which could cause accidental emergency 999 calls.

Leicestershire Police said: "We’ve experienced an increase in accidental emergency 999 calls since a recent Android phone update which triggers an SOS when a button on the side of some phones is pressed five times.

"In the past two weeks, our Contact Management Department have seen a 25% increase in calls of this nature, meaning hundreds of extra 999 calls per day. We take every 999 call extremely seriously, meaning if nobody responds when we answer, we work immediately to trace the call, to get in touch and ensure the caller is okay.

"If your phone does make an accidental 999 call and we answer, don’t just hang up. Please stay on the line and tell us what has happened.

"You can help us reduce demand into our phone lines so we can speak to those who really need us in an emergency. Please ensure your phones, particularly Samsung phones, have the latest updates."