Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire police forces, have confirmed they are able to receive 999 calls again, following a fault yesterday morning (Sunday, June 25).

A nationwide technical issue meant calls were not being connected.

BT confirmed the issue was caused by a technical fault, and said a back-up system was being used while it worked to restore the primary 999 lines.

This morning, Hertfordshire police confirmed people across the county, with the exception of Hemel Hempstead, can now call 999 without an issue.

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A spokesperson said: "Following a BT technical issue with the 999 call system which occurred yesterday, we have been made aware that some members of the public in Hemel Hempstead may experience no dial tone and be unable to make outgoing calls, including dialling 999, from their landline.

"There is no expected impact to the EE network and no report of any impact to internet-based services, so calls to 999 through mobiles should still connect.

"For the rest of Hertfordshire, BT's back-up system for 999/112 is fully operational and members of the public with genuine emergencies should continue to call 999 or 112 in the normal way.

"Should you experience any difficulties connecting with 999 or 112, you should contact 101 for police and fire and rescue services, or 111 for health."

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Bedfordshire police said people should continue to call 999, but that the location services are still unavailable. 

"BT’s back-up system for 999 is fully operational and if you are in an emergency you should continue to call 999," a spokesperson said.

"If you experience any difficulties connecting, please call 101 for police and fire and rescue services or 111 for medical emergencies.

"Normal location services are still unavailable on 999, so please consider using what3words if you are not sure of the address of the emergency.

"A full investigation is underway to resolve the situation as quickly as possible."

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said "the problem is now resolved" and encouraged people to "phone 999 in an emergency".