MORE awareness about how to contact the police in silence when in danger is the aim of a national campaign that has launched today.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) want people to know that if a 999 mobile caller is too scared to make a noise or speak, they can press 55 when prompted which will inform the police that they are in a genuine emergency.

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The system is called The Silent Solution and is being promoted as part of the 'Make Yourself Heard' campaign, launching today to coincide with National Stalking Awareness Week. 

However, it is only effective if the public know and understand how it works.

It filters out thousands of accidental or hoax silent 999 calls made daily. Around 50 emergency calls from mobiles a day are transferred by a BT operator to police forces in the UK as a result of somone having pressed 55.

Police do not automatically respond if you make a silent 999 call.

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Callers need to listen and respond to questons and instructions, including by coughing or tapping the handset, or - if using a mobile phone - when prompted by the automated Silent Solution system, pressing 55. 

Regional director of IOPC, Catrin Evans, said the system could save a life.

She said: "It is always best to actually speak to a police call handler if you can, even if by whispering, but if you are putting yourself or someone else in danger by making a sound, there is something you can do.

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“Make yourself heard by coughing, tapping the handset or once prompted by the automated system, by pressing 55.

“There is a lack of public awareness of the Silent Solution system and we are keen to share this important information as widely as possible. It could potentially save a life.”

The campaign has the support from the family of murder victim, Kerry Power, Women's Aid and Welsh Women's Aid and the National Police Chief's Council.