Why didn't the Mccann simply phone the European Emergency No 112

[AnneGuedes]

I've noticed that quite a few of the younger Portuguese generation seem to use American expressions.

What variation of English do people learn in school? What accents do they learn to understand?

America inundates all the planet with its film industry. British feature films are rare nowadays, the UK doesn't have the concept of cultural exception we have in France. But British series are bought, so the British accent is understood, though the tendency is to copy the American one.

[Carana]

Had they dialled 999 (which they knew) on their cell phones, they would have be redirected towards 112.
Expats have to know the 112, because it's the unique in Portugal, whereas in the UK 999 is along 112.

Well, this is the latest update that I've found (and we are in 2013).


The European emergency number 112 is not the only emergency number in Portugal.

Some calls are still made to the following numbers:

    115 - emergencies,
    117 - forest protection.

Disabled people can send an SMS to contact 112.

It is possible to call 112 even without a SIM card.

112 calls are answered within 11 seconds.

In addition to the national language(s), they are answered in English.

According to the latest Eurobarometer Survey on 112, 29% of Portuguese people know they can use 112 everywhere in the EU.

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/112-Portugal



It still doesn't answer the issue for me. In the absence of a fire or a medical emergency, the GNR would have been the first point of contact.

If there had been a bomb exploding in a terrorist attack, or someone seen taking a child hostage, then it would presumably have been routed directly to the PJ.

[Carana]

America inundates all the planet with its film industry. British feature films are rare nowadays, the UK doesn't have the concept of cultural exception we have in France. But British series are bought, so the British accent is understood, though the tendency is to copy the American one.

What's the "British accent", Anne?

It's a bit like saying the French cheese...

[Mrs. B]

I didn't know that. Are you sure Anne?

With our extensive travels, nobody had ever made us aware of that .. and a multitude of friends in different countries ... nobody ever told us.

It's very doubtful that any of the tapas nine would know either.

IMO It's silly to assume that a group of holiday makers in 2007 would have been aware. If nothing else, just look at the FACTS, once the Reception staff phoned the police, they either didn't know, or at least chose NOT, to dial 112 - but a used a local number to police in the area instead.

[Carana]

In 2007? No, I just asked you, who remembers receiving a message informing you of the emergency number on your mobile back then? I certainly didn't, though I do recall receiving a message on one of our phones 2007, welcoming us to Russia when landing in Stockholm. Mobile phone networks were just great back then....

Lucky you. All I get is repeated SMS messages (extra charge) from foreign operators informing me of... roaming charges.

[Carana]

IMO It's silly to assume that a group of holiday makers in 2007 would have been aware. If nothing else, just look at the FACTS, once the Reception staff phoned the police, they either didn't know, or at least chose NOT, to dial 112 - but a used a local number to police in the area instead.

Well, quite. Why would the reception have called anything other than the local police number in those circumstances?

[AnneGuedes]

Well, this is the latest update that I've found (and we are in 2013).


The European emergency number 112 is not the only emergency number in Portugal.

Some calls are still made to the following numbers:

    115 - emergencies,
    117 - forest protection.

Disabled people can send an SMS to contact 112.

It is possible to call 112 even without a SIM card.

112 calls are answered within 11 seconds.

In addition to the national language(s), they are answered in English.

According to the latest Eurobarometer Survey on 112, 29% of Portuguese people know they can use 112 everywhere in the EU.

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/112-Portugal



It still doesn't answer the issue for me. In the absence of a fire or a medical emergency, the GNR would have been the first point of contact.

If there had been a bomb exploding in a terrorist attack, or someone seen taking a child hostage, then it would presumably have been routed directly to the PJ.

Thanks, Carana. I had seen the cases of deaf, dumb or blind people was contemplated in France, I didn't know it was in Portugal.
115 is the old Portuguese nb. They hardly can suppress it totally if old people didn't update their telephone books.
If you find someone stabbed in the street, you call the 112 and they call an ambulance and the pj. If someone steals your bag in the street and you call the 112, they'll likely tell you to go to the police station.
Any "blood" crime requires the pj. Abduction is such a crime.

[Mrs. B]

Lucky you. All I get is repeated SMS messages (extra charge) from foreign operators informing me of... roaming charges.

Me too generally, that's why I tend to buy a local pay as you go SIM on arrival. I only remember the Russian one because OH thought it was so funny he kept it for ages on his phone.

[AnneGuedes]

What's the "British accent", Anne?

It's a bit like saying the French cheese...

You're right, the British accents you hear in BBC classic series and documentaries.
The US as well have different accents.

[AnneGuedes]

Well, quite. Why would the reception have called anything other than the local police number in those circumstances?

Mr Oldfield said he said the child had been abducted. Isn't that a reason to call the PJ ?

[Carana]

Any "blood" crime requires the pj. Abduction is such a crime.

At the time, the basic fact was that a child was missing.

IFF people had seen her being stuffed into the boot of a car, and someone had written down the license plate number... then it would presumably have been a different situation.

[AnneGuedes]

At the time, the basic fact was that a child was missing.

IFF people had seen her being stuffed into the boot of a car, and someone had written down the license plate number... then it would presumably have been a different situation.

Of course. It's in this case that the Amberlike European Alert is launched.
But here we had forced shutters and window, isn't it ?

[Carana]

Of course. It's in this case that the Amberlike European Alert is launched.
But here we had forced shutters and window, isn't it ?

In a potential burglary scenario and a child who may have run out, the point of first contact would still have been the GNR, wouldn't it?

[AnneGuedes]

In a potential burglary scenario and a child who may have run out, the point of first contact would still have been the GNR, wouldn't it?

Doors are unlocked, child alone but ignoring where are parents is gone : gnr
Doors are locked, shutters were forced, child is gone : pj

[Mrs. B]

In a potential burglary scenario and a child who may have run out, the point of first contact would still have been the GNR, wouldn't it?

That's the scenario it seems that the staff thought likely, to start with anyway, which is probably why they did just that, they called GNR.