The emergency services number in the UK and Ireland
First established on 1st July 1937, as the first nationwide emergency telephone number, anywhere in the world.
The first 999 call was made by Mr. Stanley Beard of Hampstead, when he awoke to a noise outside his house at 4.20 am and, after looking, saw a man’s foot. His wife called the new emergency number and asked for the police. Patrol cars went sent and four minutes later a man was detained near Primrose Hill. Later in the day, Thomas Duffy (24), was charged at Marylebone court with attempting to break in to the house, and was remanded in custody.