Knowing which number to call in the UK can save your life or someone else's. These may be different from your home country — learn them now before you need them.
Call 999 for police, fire, or ambulance in a life-threatening situation. Examples: serious injury, fire, crime in progress, someone unconscious or not breathing. Free to call, works even with no credit or signal on most networks.
Call 111 for urgent medical help that cannot wait for a GP appointment but is not a 999 emergency. Available 24/7, free. A nurse or doctor will advise you whether to go to A&E, see a GP, or treat at home. Always call 111 before going to A&E if you are unsure — A&E has long waits.
Call 101 to report a crime that is not happening right now. Examples: your phone was stolen, you witnessed something suspicious, minor road incident. Do not call 999 for non-emergencies.
Free, 24/7, confidential. Call if you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, lonely, or struggling mentally. Moving to a new country is hard — there is no shame in calling. You do not have to be in crisis.
Contact your home country's embassy or consulate in the UK if you lose your passport, face legal problems, or have a serious emergency. Chinese Embassy in London: +44 20 7299 4049 (also consulates in Manchester, Edinburgh, and Belfast). Find your country's embassy at gov.uk/world/embassies.
Save 999, 111, and your university security number in your phone before you need them. Most universities have a 24/7 campus security line.