A message from the local Neighbourhood Watch team:

“There was an item on the BBC web site which read:
People who need to make a discreet call to 999 can do so using the Police’s “silent solution” system.
A 999 caller who is unable to speak can key in the number 55 to silently inform officers that they are experiencing a genuine emergency.

Our local police confirm that “if we had an open line and could clearly hear a disturbance then we would deploy”, so if for some reason you are unable to speak, perhaps through illness or there is someone in the house who you don’t want to alert, then key in 55 and leave the line open. This facility is particularly for the benefit of victims of domestic abuse or if you think there is an intruder in your home.”