Thread:Comments:'Completely irresponsible' woman called emergency services to report theft of snowman/999?/reply (5)

As far as I know, 112 is just a standard number that works across Europe to route your calls to the emergency services. It has also been standardised with the mobile networks such that even if you don't have mobile coverage in a particular area on your chosen network, all networks will try and route 112 calls even from non-subscribers. Plus I think 112 also works with text messaging in some countries - the UK have added an emergency SMS service: great for deaf people and when you want to silently alert the police to being kidnapped.

Basically, the simple rule is: dial 112 rather than 999. It'll work more often than 999.

And, yes, in countries where they have separate numbers, you get redirected to an operator who asks what service you require and connects you to the service dispatcher.

See Emergency telephone number.