Is that 999? I’m low on diesel and can’t find a garage
NORTH WALES POLICE REVEAL SOME OF THE DAFT CALLS MADE TO EMERGENCY LINE
NORTH Wales Police have shared audio from some of the calls their 999 operators have received as they urge the public to only use the line for real emergencies.
The force shared five examples of ‘emergency calls’ made over the last few weeks.
From a disgruntled customer who chipped their tooth in a chippie, and a dad planning a trip up Snowdon asking about the weather, to abusive language, and a man who phoned police to take his drunk friend home when a taxi said it would be a 20-minute wait.
In one audio clip a man calls 999 because he is low on diesel and doesn’t know where the nearest open fuel station is.
In the 25-second audio clip, which you can listen to on our website dailypost.co.uk, you can hear the operator start the call with ‘police emergency.’
The unnamed man then says: “Hiya, I’m sorry it’s not an emergency but erm I’m low on diesel and I don’t know where the closest petrol station is to me.”
He then repeats his apology for it not being an emergency.
“But I just need to get home somehow and I need diesel” the man continued.
“There’s no diesel stations open around here.”
Officers from North Wales police shared the audio, along with a plea to use 999 responsibly.
“Please use the 999-line appropriately and only contact the non-emergency line or live web chat if it’s a police matter.
“Phoning 999 because you are low on diesel is not a police emergency. #ReduceDemand #HelpUsToHelpYou”
Superintendent Mark Williams from the Force Control Room is urging people to make sure that they use the 999-line appropriately, and only to contact the non-emergency line or live web chat if it is a police matter.
He said: “Each unnecessary call to us reduces time available for calls which are for genuine policing matters. It is also a waste of operators’ time and clogs up the pressured 999 system.
“Traditionally Christmas and New Year are among the busiest times of year for the Force and we are simply asking people to use the 999 system wisely to help ensure a legitimate emergency is not missed over the festive period.
“Phoning 999 - which is an emergency line, for trivial matters such as to report a car with no wing mirror or to report lost glasses is a complete waste of resources, and could possibly prevent a genuine life or death emergency call being put through.
“Other examples have included a 999 call being made due to someone not remembering their combination code to get into a safe.
“Calling 999 because of concern regarding a drunk friend is not a matter for the police. Although the person who rang us had a genuine concern for their friend, we are unable to provide a taxi service to get people home safe.
“As well as the 101 nonemergency lines we also offer live webchat for people to contact us online for non-urgent matters.
“This is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We recognise that people may not always want or need to call us on the phone so we also offer other options, including email, and online reporting forms.
He added: “We do have powers to prosecute people for misusing the 999 system and if people are found to consistently make hoax calls they could face prosecution.”
In 2020 North Wales Police received:
79,834 emergency 999 calls 250,975 non-emergency calls
915 webchats
58,131 emails
It can be hard to judge what is or is not an emergency, but in general, you should call 999 if:
A life is in danger or someone is being physically threatened, or if you are witnessing a crime happening at the time, or think the offenders are still nearby
You witness or are involved in a serious road traffic collision where someone is badly injured, or other vehicles are causing an obstruction or a danger to other road users