UK Emergency and Personal Safety Guide for Nepali Students explains when to call 999 or 112, when to use police 101 or health 111, how silent emergency calls work, and what to do after crime, theft or urgent illness. Save local university security and accommodation contacts after arrival, because campus procedures differ.
Information checked on 24 July 2026 using GOV.UK, Police.uk and NHS guidance. In immediate danger, move to safety and call the emergency services rather than searching for online advice.
UK emergency contacts at a glance
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| 999 | Police, ambulance, fire or coastguard emergency |
| 112 | UK emergency number equivalent to 999 |
| 101 | Police non-emergency report, information or enquiry |
| 111 | Urgent medical help or advice when it is not life-threatening |
| 18000 | Emergency textphone access for people with hearing or speech impairment |
| 999 then 55 | Mobile Silent Solution route when speaking would create danger |
| Campus security | University-specific help on campus or in managed accommodation |
When to call 999 or 112
GOV.UK identifies 999 and 112 as the national emergency response numbers. Call when someone is in immediate danger, a serious crime is in progress, there is danger to life, or police, ambulance, fire or coastguard help is urgently needed.
Both numbers are free. The call handler will ask which service is required and where the incident is happening.
Give location and essential facts
State the address, landmark, road, station, campus building or live location as clearly as possible. Explain what happened, whether danger is continuing and how many people need help.
Follow the operator’s instructions. Do not end the call until told, unless staying connected creates immediate danger.
If speaking would put you in danger
If calling 999 from a mobile and unable to speak safely, listen to the operator. The Silent Solution can direct a caller to press 55 when prompted for a police emergency.
Pressing 55 does not automatically share every detail or guarantee police attendance. Make a sound or provide location information if it is safe to do so.
Accessibility and emergency SMS
Police.uk lists 18000 as the emergency textphone service for people with hearing or speech impairment. Emergency SMS also requires advance registration before it can be relied on.
Set up accessible emergency options before a crisis. Test device accessibility without creating a false emergency call.
When to use police 101
Use 101 or the relevant police online reporting service for non-emergency crime, property damage, antisocial behaviour, suspicious activity or an enquiry. GOV.UK says calls to 101 are free.
If the situation becomes dangerous or a serious offence is happening now, use 999 instead.
When to use NHS 111
Use the appropriate NHS 111 service for urgent medical help that is not life-threatening. The service can assess the need and direct the patient to suitable care.
Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. Healthcare pathways differ slightly among England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so use the local NHS service.
University and accommodation contacts
Save campus security, student support, residence reception, emergency maintenance and out-of-hours numbers. A university team can help with building access, welfare and local procedures.
Campus security does not replace emergency services when life or immediate safety is at risk.
Plan safe travel after arrival
Learn the route between accommodation, campus, supermarket and transport stops during daylight. Share plans with trusted housemates for unfamiliar late journeys.
Use licensed or reputable transport services and verify the vehicle and driver details shown in the genuine booking app.
Phone and valuables in public
Keep phones, laptops, cameras and bags close, especially at stations, nightlife areas and crowded events. Do not leave luggage unattended.
Avoid displaying a phone near the road where it can be snatched. Back up important data and enable a secure device lock and find-my-device service.
Cash machines and bank cards
Check who is nearby before using an ATM and cover the keypad. Police guidance warns never to reveal a PIN, including to someone claiming to be an officer.
If a card is retained or stolen, contact the bank through its official number and freeze it in the app where possible.
Accommodation security
Lock doors and windows when leaving and avoid allowing unknown people through controlled entrances. Report broken locks, lighting or alarms promptly in writing.
Do not publish the full address, room number and travel dates together on social media.
Fire and gas safety
Learn the building exit route and assembly point. Never cover smoke alarms or wedge fire doors open.
Leave immediately when an alarm indicates danger and call 999 for a fire. Do not re-enter until emergency services or authorised staff say it is safe.
Harassment, hate crime and stalking
Move to a safer public place, contact 999 for immediate danger, and use 101 or online reporting for non-emergency incidents. Preserve messages, photographs, dates and witness details.
University support can help with safety planning and academic adjustments, but the student controls whether to make a police report except where safeguarding duties apply.
After theft or loss
Report urgent danger through 999 or a completed theft through 101 or online. Obtain a crime reference when provided.
Block bank cards and SIMs, change exposed passwords, use device tracking safely, and notify the university if an ID or access card was taken. Do not confront a suspected thief.
Passport and eVisa account security
Report a lost passport through the official process and contact the Nepali mission for travel-document guidance. Secure the UKVI account if login details may be exposed.
Never share a UKVI password or one-time code with a landlord, employer, university agent or caller. Official status checks use purpose-specific share codes.
Scams and impersonation
Police, the Home Office, a bank or university will not make a genuine emergency safer by demanding cryptocurrency, gift cards or a secret transfer. End the call and verify independently.
Do not trust the displayed caller ID alone. Use a number from the institution’s official website or banking app.
Preserve evidence safely
Save messages, account details, receipts, photographs and a timeline without editing original files. Record what was lost and which organisations were contacted.
Evidence matters, but personal safety comes first. Do not stay near danger simply to record video.
Emergency scam warnings
- A caller demanding money to prevent immediate visa cancellation
- A supposed police officer asking for a PIN or one-time banking code
- A fake university security account requesting passwords
- A taxi driver or seller asking to move payment outside the official app
- A stranger offering to recover a stolen phone for a fee
- A message using a cloned emergency-service website
- A person telling the victim not to contact real police or the bank
Step-by-step arrival safety checklist
- Save core numbers. Know 999/112, 101 and the relevant 111 service.
- Add local contacts. Store campus, residence and trusted housemate numbers.
- Learn the area. Identify safe routes, hospital and police reporting options.
- Secure the phone. Enable screen lock, backup and device location.
- Protect documents. Keep encrypted copies separate from originals.
- Set emergency contacts. Review the device SOS behaviour.
- Plan late travel. Use reputable services and share journey details.
- Report promptly. Choose emergency or non-emergency channels correctly.
Common safety mistakes
- Using 101 while immediate danger continues
- Calling 999 for a routine enquiry
- Assuming emergency services know the exact location
- Depending on emergency SMS without registering
- Giving a bank PIN to an impersonator
- Following a stolen-device map alone
- Leaving passport and bank cards in one unsecured bag
- Deleting scam messages before preserving evidence
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 999 and 112?
Both connect to UK emergency services. GOV.UK describes 112 as the pan-European equivalent that can also be used in the UK.
When should I call police 101?
Use 101 for non-emergency crime reports, information or enquiries. Use 999 when a serious crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger.
What is NHS 111 for?
It provides urgent medical help or advice when the situation is not life-threatening. Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency.
What should I do if I cannot speak on a 999 mobile call?
Listen to the operator and, for a police emergency, use the Silent Solution prompt to press 55 when instructed.
Should I follow a stolen phone’s live location?
Do not confront anyone. Give tracking information to police, block the SIM and protect accounts.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: 999 and 112 emergency numbers
- GOV.UK: contact police through 999 or 101
- Police.uk: how to report an incident
- NHS: when to use 111
- NPSA: calling for help and mobile emergency features
Safety planning from Nepal
For a visible review of accommodation security, arrival travel, emergency contacts and practical UK preparation, use MKS Education study in the UK guidance. Students preparing for IELTS, PTE, GRE, GMAT or SAT can compare courses at MKS Prep. UK emergency services, police, NHS providers and the university remain the final authorities.