999 service hit by time-wasters

A lost phone, a broken nail, and a paper cut are just three of the 999 calls made to the emergency services this year.

Phone lines are getting clogged up and lives are being put at risk by the time-wasters.

Just 16 per cent of the 11,511 calls taken by police in September were classed by call handlers as emergencies. Of these, 354 calls – more than 10 a day – were from hoaxers.

The ambulance service also falls victim to hoax and frivolous calls.

Among the time-wasting calls in the past year were requests for help to change the channel on their TV and for treatment to a paper cut.

The findings have prompted the emergency services to urge callers to think before dialling 999.

Inspector Andy Harrison, of the Leicestershire police call management centre, said: "By using 999, they are risking people's lives – it is as serious as that. We have a finite number of people answering the phones and, if they are busy, it means genuine callers have to wait.

"While it may be only a matter of seconds, that can have a significant impact on our response time, which can mean the difference between life and death."

In one call to police, the caller said he had left his mobile phone on the bus and asked if officers could locate and stop the vehicle for him.

Another asked to be transferred to the non-emergency line because they had run out of credit on their phone, while another rang to report an item of missing property.

Apart from frivolous calls, East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) must also deal with a number of hoax calls.

Ben Holdaway, EMAS control general manager said: "Hoax calls could cost someone their life.

"People who misuse 999 must remember that one day it could be their mum, dad, brother or sister that is delayed an emergency response because we were busy responding to a hoax call."

"Our ambulance service is here to respond to situations where lives are at risk and not to respond to people with minor ailments or who can't get their domestic equipment to work."

Insp Harrison said: "Please think before dialling 999. Is a crime or serious incident taking place, or is anyone in immediate danger?"

If your call is not an emergency, but a police matter, call 0116 222 2222.

RIDICULOUS REQUESTS

Inappropriate calls received by 999 emergency services.

I've left my phone on the bus – can you stop it for me?

I've run out of credit on my mobile phone. Can you transfer me?

There are morris men in the street making a racket.

There are wasps on my roof – I need help.

My pet rabbit is stuck behind a kitchen cabinet – can you come and free it?

I've dropped my handbag in the canal – can you help me?

There's a dead bird in my garden – can you remove it?

I can't change the channel on my TV.

I've got a blocked nose.