How do I alert the police or gendarmerie in case of an emergency?

Verified 23 December 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

In case of emergency, and only in this situation, it is possible to alert the police or gendarmerie by telephone call, or by SMS, if you are unable to speak.

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By telephone

In case of emergency, when a quick intervention is necessary, you can call the emergency police. Dial 17.

You can also contact the 112.

Who shall I contact

  • Emergency Police - 17 (by phone)

    By telephone

    Dial 17 in the event of an emergency involving a road accident, a breach of public order or a criminal offense. A team of police or gendarmes will be on hand.

    You can also dial the 112. You will then be directed to the right service according to your case. The 112 can be used in all European Union countries.

    If the situation is not an emergency, call your local police or gendarmerie.

Who shall I contact

  • European emergency number - 112

     112

    Emergency number to be used for a call from a European country or from a mobile phone

    24/7

    Free call

You can't call

114 is the emergency call relay service if you are unable to speak on the phone (deaf, hard of hearing ...) or if it could put you in danger.

Who shall I contact

  • Deaf and hard of hearing emergency number - 114

    By SMS at 114

    Free 24/7 access

    Via the emergency mobile application 114 or the website www.urgence114.fr

    Free 24/7 access

    Contact possible via:

    • Video telephony: I communicate in sign language
    • Chat: I communicate in writing
    • Voice / Return text: I speak and 114 responds to me in writing (or vice versa)

If the situation is not urgent, call your local police station or gendarmerie brigade.

Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact

It is important to know that sending a false alarm to the police, by making it look like a hostage taking, for example, is a offense.

This offense may be punishable by up to 2 years in prison and €30,000 of fine.