999 swamped with prank calls

More than 56 percent of calls made to the National Emergency Helpline 999 are blank, prank, or missed calls, causing delays in emergency responses and putting extra pressure on call handlers, said Bangladesh Police in a press release.

Reducing such calls would ensure a faster service from the 999 helpline, which is operated by the police and provides 24/7 service to people in critical situations, said the press release.

Since its launch on December 12, 2017, until April 30, 2025, the helpline has received a total of 6,23,80,907 calls. Among these, 2,72,79,886 calls -- 43.73 percent -- were genuine emergency requests for police, fire, ambulance, or information-related services.

The remaining 3,51,01,021 calls -- 56.27 percent -- were not related to any emergencies. These included blank, prank, and missed calls.

This high number of unnecessary calls increases waiting times, delays responses to genuine emergencies, and puts added pressure on call handlers. This hampers the effective delivery of emergency services, said the press release signed by Mohiul Islam, additional DIG (telecom) of police and chief of the 999 service.

Since its launch on December 12, 2017, until April 30, 2025, the helpline received 6,23,80,907 calls. Among these, 2,72,79,886 calls -- 43.73 percent -- were genuine emergency requests.

Although Section 70(1) of the Telecommunications Regulation Act, 2001 allows a fine of up to Tk 1 lakh, or six months' imprisonment in default, for making nuisance calls, no legal action has been taken so far by the 999 service. Instead, the helpline has focused on public awareness, said the press release.

However, the press release noted that due to growing public trust and awareness efforts, the number of unnecessary calls has been gradually decreasing.

In order to bring this number down to zero, the 999 team urged citizens and the media to help further raise awareness and reduce such calls.