PCC-funded poster campaign raises awareness of the ‘Silent Solution’

Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts has launched a new poster campaign raising awareness of a method of calling 999 that allows people to get help without having to talk.

The ‘Silent Solution' is a system that filters out large numbers of accidental or hoax 999 calls while still ensuring people can get urgent help when they are in immediate danger or are too frightened to speak.

The system is especially helpful for domestic abuse victims who may be in immediate danger but who are not able to speak freely.

To use the method, dialers call 999 from their mobile phones and listen to the instructions of the operator, before coughing or tapping the handset if they can.

When prompted, they can then press ‘55' which lets the call operator know that it is a genuine emergency, and they will be put through to the police.

Under the banner Make Yourself Heard, the posters provide full instructions and will be distributed to community groups and organisations across the county, with a digital version also available on the Commissioner's website.

It is part of a wider campaign underway by the Commissioner to improve support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: "The Silent Solution has the potential to save lives but is surprisingly a relatively unknown resource and this is something I am determined to change. We know that victims of violence often have very little opportunity to safely raise alarm, especially when they are in immediate danger. By raising awareness of this simple, yet effective, method of reaching out for help, the hope is that more victims of abuse and anyone else under threat will receive the urgent assistance they need. 

"I would like to thank our partners who are fully onboard with the campaign and are supporting our efforts to reach communities across Derbyshire through every means possible."

The Police will not automatically have the caller's location details if they use the Silent Solution and instead need to ask a series of yes or no questions to establish this. By listening carefully to questions and instructions, contact handlers can arrange urgent help.

Following extensive consultation with the public after coming into office, the PCC made Serious Violence including Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) a priority in her Police and Crime Plan 2024-29.

The Commissioner has vowed to support initiatives that aim to address crimes that disproportionately affect women and girls such as domestic abuse, sexual offences, stalking and harassment.