People in the UK are among the Europeans who are least likely to recognise 112 as the pan-European emergency number, despite various initiatives to promote the number both here and on the continent, according to a statement from eubusiness. Amongst the strategies employed by the EU has been the 112 Awards, organised by the European Emergency Number Association to recognise and congratulate individuals and organisations engaged in promoting the 112 number. The 112 number has been operational across the EU since December 2008 but recent data shows that only 10% of UK citizens know they can dial it to contact the police, the fire brigade or the medical services at home or when travelling in the EU. Together with Greece and Italy this is the lowest awareness level among the 27 member states. Although the UK has acknowledged that a common code for emergency services across the whole of the EU is desirable, the EU itself has recognised that 999 is very familiar to people in the UK and withdrawal of this number and substitution by another would inevitably lead to confusion and probable risk. Because of this, in the UK both 999 and 112 provide emergency access in parallel.
