Promoting 112 as a Europe-wide emergency phone number will save lives - Liz Lynne

12.01.00am GMT Thu 28th Jan 2010

Liz Lynne and other Euro MPs back an awareness campaign for 112, the Europe-wide free emergency phone number

Liberal Democrat Euro MP Liz Lynne is backing a campaign to increase the awareness and availability of 112, the Europe-wide emergency phone number equivalent to 999 in the UK.

The 112 number now works just like 999 in the UK and also in phone networks in 27 EU countries, but studies show most people still do not know about it.

The West Midlands region MEP is a strong supporter of the project promoted by the 112 Foundation and attended a meeting at the European Parliament to promote the scheme yesterday. Euro MPs and campaigners discussed plans for the second '112 day' to publicise the number around Europe, which will be held on February 11th this year.

Speaking after the meeting in Brussels, Liz Lynne said: "The idea of one free emergency phone number to work anywhere in Europe has huge obvious benefits and is backed by 9 out of 10 people and by all the major emergency service staff associations.

"But sadly surveys also show that 3 out of 4 people don't know that 112 exists. That's why I am so keen to support the work of the 112 Foundation.

"When emergencies occur the first instinct is to dial 999, but if people are abroad elsewhere in Europe, precious seconds or minutes can be wasted while they look up the emergency number for that country. Many lives could be saved if people knew they could dial 112.

"We should not replace 999, which is one of the best known numbers anywhere which even very young children understand - but it is very important that we promote 112 as a second, universal number to ring anywhere in Europe if lives are in danger."

ENDS