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Important Telephone Numbers in the UK

A practical list of important UK telephone numbers for emergencies, police, ambulance, fire and rescue, NHS services, power cuts, gas emergencies, transport, government services and support organisations.

🚨 Emergency: 999 / 112 👮 Police: 101 🏥 NHS: 111 ⚡ Power cuts: 105 🚆 Rail: 03457 48 49 50
Emergency numbers NHS & health Utilities Transport Support FAQ

🚨 In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or 112

The UK uses 999 and 112 as national emergency numbers. They can connect you with the appropriate emergency service, including police, fire and rescue, ambulance and coastguard services.

🚨 Emergency Telephone Numbers

Emergency / urgent service

Emergency Services

The main UK emergency number for police, fire and rescue, ambulance and coastguard services.

999
Use for immediate danger, serious injury, serious crime or a life-threatening emergency.
Emergency / urgent service

Emergency Services

The UK emergency number that works alongside 999.

112
112 can be used in the UK to contact emergency services.
Emergency / urgent service

Police Non-Emergency

Contact the police for non-emergency situations, information and enquiries.

101
For emergencies or immediate danger, call 999 instead.
Emergency / urgent service

NHS Urgent Medical Advice

Get urgent medical advice when you need help but the situation is not a life-threatening emergency.

111
Services and arrangements differ between the UK nations.

🏥 NHS & Health Telephone Numbers

NHS 111

Urgent medical advice and help when you are unsure which NHS service to use.

111
In England, NHS 111 is available by phone 24 hours a day. Arrangements differ elsewhere in the UK.

Emergency Ambulance

Request an ambulance for life-threatening medical emergencies.

999
For non-life-threatening urgent medical advice, use the appropriate NHS 111 service.

A&E Emergency Department

A&E departments provide emergency treatment for serious injuries and life-threatening conditions.

999 / local A&E
Use 999 if an ambulance is required.

Mental Health Urgent Help

In England, NHS 111 can provide urgent mental-health support and direct people to appropriate services.

111
Services differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

🇬🇧 NHS Services Across the UK

The NHS is organised differently in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you need urgent healthcare but it is not a life-threatening emergency, use the service appropriate to the nation where you are located.

England

NHS 111 can provide urgent medical advice, including help with finding appropriate urgent services.

Official information →

Scotland

NHS 24 provides urgent healthcare advice through 111.

Official information →

Wales

NHS 111 Wales provides urgent medical advice and information.

Official information →

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland provides urgent-care information through nidirect and local health services.

Official information →

🛡️ Police, Crime & Personal Support

Anti-Terrorist Hotline

Report possible terrorist activity to the UK police.

0800 789 321
For an immediate threat or emergency, call 999.

Crimestoppers

Provide information about crime anonymously.

0800 555 111
Do not use Crimestoppers when someone is in immediate danger.

Missing People

Free support for people affected by a missing-person situation.

116 000
If a missing person is in immediate danger, contact the police.

Samaritans

Free emotional support by telephone, available day and night.

116 123
If there is immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 999.

⚡ Utilities & Household Emergencies

Power Cut Helpline

UK-wide number for reporting or getting information about electricity power cuts.

105
The 105 service is free.

Gas Emergency

National Gas Emergency Service for suspected gas leaks or gas emergencies.

0800 111 999
If you suspect a gas leak, follow official safety advice immediately.

Water Emergencies

There is no single UK-wide customer telephone number for all water companies.

See local supplier
Contact your local water supplier for leaks, loss of supply and other water emergencies.

🚆 Transport & Travel Telephone Numbers

National Rail Enquiries

Train times, fares, rail services and journey information across the National Rail network.

03457 48 49 50
Available 24 hours a day except Christmas Day.

National Rail Passenger Assistance

Telephone assistance for passengers who need accessibility or travel assistance.

0800 022 3720
Assistance arrangements can vary by train operator and journey.

Emergency on Road

Use 999 when a road accident involves immediate danger, serious injury or another emergency.

999
For non-emergency police matters, use 101.

🏛️ Government & Public Services

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

General Income Tax and related HMRC telephone enquiries.

0300 200 3300
Opening times and available services vary.

DVLA

General vehicle and driving licence enquiries handled by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

0300 790 6802
Check GOV.UK for the correct DVLA department before calling.

GOV.UK

The UK's main government website for official public-service information.

Online
Many government services are handled online rather than through a single telephone number.

📞 Are UK emergency numbers free?

Calls to 999 and 112 are free. GOV.UK also identifies 101, 105 and 111 as free telephone numbers.

Other numbers, including some 03 numbers, can have different charging arrangements depending on your telephone provider and tariff. Check with your provider if you are unsure.

Important information before calling

  • Know your location and postcode if possible.
  • Explain clearly what has happened.
  • For emergencies, follow the instructions given by the emergency call handler.
  • Do not call 999 simply because another service is busy. Use the appropriate non-emergency service when there is no immediate danger.
  • Telephone numbers and opening arrangements for local councils, water companies, hospitals and other services can differ by location.
  • Always check the relevant official website for the latest contact information before publishing or relying on a non-emergency number.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main emergency number in the UK?
The main UK emergency numbers are 999 and 112. Both can connect callers to emergency services including police, fire and rescue, ambulance and coastguard services.
What is the UK police emergency number?
Call 999 for a police emergency when a crime is in progress, someone is in immediate danger or there is another urgent threat. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.
What is the UK police non-emergency number?
The UK police non-emergency number is 101. It can be used to report non-emergency crimes, provide information or make a police enquiry.
What is the NHS 111 number?
111 is used for urgent medical advice in the NHS. In England, NHS 111 can be accessed by telephone and online. Health-service arrangements differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
When should I call 999?
Call 999 when there is an emergency such as immediate danger to life, serious injury, a crime in progress or another situation requiring an emergency response.
Is 112 available in the UK?
Yes. 112 is a UK emergency number and can be used alongside 999 to contact emergency services.
What is the UK power cut telephone number?
105 is the UK-wide number for power-cut information and reporting electricity problems. Calls to 105 are free.
What number should I call for a gas leak in the UK?
Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 if you suspect a gas leak or other gas emergency. Follow official gas-safety instructions immediately.
What is the National Rail telephone number?
National Rail Enquiries can be contacted on 03457 48 49 50 for train times, fares and rail-service information. National Rail states that the telephone service operates 24 hours a day except Christmas Day.
What is the Samaritans telephone number?
Samaritans can be contacted free on 116 123 at any time, day or night, for emotional support.
What number should I call if someone is missing?
Missing People can be contacted on 116 000 for support relating to missing-person situations. If there is an immediate emergency, contact the police.
Can tourists and visitors use UK emergency numbers?
Yes. Visitors in the UK can use 999 or 112 for emergencies. Emergency calls are free.
Are UK emergency numbers free?
Calls to 999 and 112 are free. GOV.UK also lists 101, 105 and 111 as free numbers.
Is NHS 111 the same throughout the UK?
The NHS uses 111 services across parts of the UK, but the exact service and online arrangements differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check the relevant national NHS or government service for your location.

Quick UK telephone number guide

Service Number
Emergency services 999 / 112
Police non-emergency 101
NHS urgent medical advice 111
Power cuts 105
Gas emergency 0800 111 999
National Rail Enquiries 03457 48 49 50
National Rail Passenger Assistance 0800 022 3720
Samaritans 116 123
Missing People 116 000
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321

Important: This page is intended as a practical directory of important UK telephone numbers. Emergency and public-service arrangements can change, and local services may have different contact details. For emergencies, use 999 or 112. For non-emergency services, check the relevant official UK government, NHS, council or service-provider website.