Issues with 999 emergency calls are continuing after a technical fault caused problems with location services, BT said.
The emergency phone system, managed by BT, is still functioning because it was supported by a “resilient” back-up system, the telecoms company said. It appears to be a national issue, but a Merseyside Police spokesperson said BT is continuing to establish the cause of disruption.
The disruption affects all emergency services including police, fire, ambulance and coastguard. BT confirmed the issue is "ongoing" and added that engineers are “working hard” to determine the cause.
READ MORE: Man clutches broken leg after horrific Mathew Street bar brawl
A spokesperson told PA Media: "Earlier today we experienced a technical fault that impacted our primary 999 lines and we defaulted to our back-up system. The issue is ongoing, but we do know it was caused by a technical fault.
"This was not connected to any third parties and is not related to today’s hot weather or the separate Android handset issue reported earlier this week. Our engineers and technical experts are working hard to determine the cause, but our priority is getting the primary 999 lines up and running as soon as possible.
"As with all critical national infrastructure, we can’t share technical information on how the system works or give details on the architecture of the back-up solution."
A Merseyside Police spokesperson added: "We continue to advise members of the public to only ring 999 in an emergency to ensure we are able to respond quickly to those most in need. For non emergency calls you can DM @MerPol CC, or contact ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook.
"All of these services are connected to our professional staff who deal with 999 calls so they will have the necessary skills and knowledge to assist you. We are in regular contact with BT as well as our partner agencies during this period and will issue updates as and when necessary."
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "We would advise members of the public to only ring 999 in an emergency to ensure we are able to respond quickly to those most in need." And North West Ambulance Service added if it is not serious or life-threatening to consult 111 online for advice.
Get the latest crime reports and investigations from Merseyside by signing up to our newsletter.
