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

Verified 19 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you are a victim of infringement and your situation requires emergency intervention (e.g. in case of physical or sexual assault), you can immediately contact the police or gendarmerie services.

In case of emergency, and only in this situation, it is possible to alert the police or gendarmerie by telephone. People with hearing or language impairments can contact these services via SMS.

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By telephone

In case of emergency, when a quick intervention is necessary, you can call Police-Emergency. Dial 17.

You can also contact the European Emergency Service by dialing 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.

  • 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, you can contact the police station or the gendarmerie brigade of your commune or district.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

Inventing that destruction, degradation or deterioration that is dangerous to persons is about to happen or has been committed is offense. For example, you can be punished if you make the police believe that a fire has just been committed in your building.

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