The emergency phone line isn’t connecting callers to dispatchers, the Met said (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

People are being urged to call 101 instead of 999 after a ‘technical fault’ downed the emergency phone line.

The issue, which forces say is down to ‘system failure’ with BT, appears to be impacting emergency services up and down Britain.

The Metropolitan Police Service tweeted: ‘Due to a technical fault that is impacting a number of police forces, many 999 calls are not connecting.

‘Until further notice, please call 101 in an emergency.

‘Please ONLY call in an emergency and please wait until later to make any 101 non-emergency calls.’

Police, ambulance and fire services in several regions, from Greater Manchester and Hampshire to West Yorkshire and Somerset, reported the glitch.

People in medical emergencies are being advised by some forces to phone 111 instead (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In medical emergencies, people are advised to pick up the phone and dial 111, the non-emergency medical helpline operating in England, Scotland and some parts of Wales.

Some police forces have said 999 has been restored.

Hampshire Police tweeted at around 9:20am: ‘Following issues this morning with the national 999 service we have been updated by our partners at BT that calls are now able to be taken.

‘Thank you for your patience while this issue was being resolved.’

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service added: ‘BT has advised calls to 999 are now working. Please dial 999 in an emergency.;

It comes after police forces warned that a new feature on some Android phones is plaguing switchboards with ‘silent’ 999 calls.

Most smartphones come with an Emergency SOS feature that calls the police if a button is pressed repeatedly.

But since the new update, police chiefs say they have been bombarded with accidental calls.

Police Scotland called on callers to remain on the line if they realise they have phoned them by accident.

‘If possible, please stay on the line and let us know you are safe,’ the national force said.

‘Calls to 999 where the operator cannot hear anyone on the line (silent calls) are never just ignored.’

Google, which develops Android software for phones such as the Samsung Galaxy and the Google Pixel lines, said manufacturers are expected to fix this.

BT has been approached for comment.

The glitch is impacting police, fire and ambulance services.