The fault has now been fixed and 999 is operating as normal again.
THAMES Valley Police has issued an urgent appeal this morning – call 101 in an emergency, not 999.
The usual emergency number is subject to a technical fault, and until it has been resolved, people are being asked to make alternative arrangements.
It is not yet known when the 999 service, which connects members of the public to emergency services, will resume.
Anyone needing to make a 101 report is asked to do so online. Calls to 101 are usually non-emergency related.
The problem is a national one, and not confined to the Thames Valley Police region.
When the fault has been fixed, Thames Valley Police will provide an update.