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Wearable Tech Causes 700 Extra 999 Calls at Music Festivals

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Leicestershire Police is warning attendees of the Download Festival about a surge in 999 calls caused by wearable tech issues. In previous years, nearly 700 extra 999 calls were made during the festival weekend, with the tech mistakenly assuming attendees in mosh pits had been in a collision. This led to a significant burden on contact handlers, taking them away from answering true emergency calls.

Key Takeaways:

  • Leicestershire Police experienced a 700-extra 999 calls during the Download Festival weekend in previous years due to wearable tech issues.
  • The tech mistakenly assumed attendees in mosh pits had been in a collisions, causing 999 contacts and abandoned 999 calls.
  • The police had to assess over 700 calls, with three outbound call attempts completed to ensure there was no threat, risk, or harm.
  • The force advised individuals to answer the phone when called back from 'hidden numbers' to ensure the 999 dialler is safe.
  • Police also recommended switching on 'airplane mode' or disabling emergency alerts on wearable tech to prevent erroneous 999 calls.
  • The issue of wearable tech causing 999 calls has elicited concerns from festival-goers, with some suggesting that attendees be educated about the issue.
  • Leicestershire Police has urged people to speak to event staff or lodge their reports online to report non-emergency incidents or crime.

Statistics:

  • 700 - extra 999 calls made during the Download Festival weekend in previous years due to wearable tech issues (Source: Leicestershire Police)
  • 3 - outbound call attempts completed by police to ensure there was no threat, risk, or harm (Source: Leicestershire Police)
  • 60+ - comments on the police's warning post on Facebook about the issue of wearable tech causing 999 calls (Source: Facebook)

Sources:

  • Leicestershire Police statement on Facebook warning about wearable tech issue (Source: Facebook)
  • Leicestershire Police post on Facebook explaining high demand on 999 and 101 lines (Source: Facebook)

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