A distressed caller rang police on 999 over a bad haircut
POLICE URGE TO ONLY CALL IN AN EMERGENCY
FROM loudly mooing cows to disastrous haircuts, Humberside Police’s Force Control Room have heard it all.
However, dialling 999 should only be done in an emergency and taking up a call handler’s time could have serious consequences for someone else in need.
Recently, the force set up the #Maketherightcall social media campaign urging the public to dial the right line under the correct circumstances.
They shared on their Facebook page that they have received a call from one woman reporting that her washing machine wouldn’t stop spinning, while another person called to book a taxi home.
They said in their post that “these calls can potentially cost someone their life and can cause delays for the people who have a genuine need for the emergency services.”
Wasting police time is also a criminal offence and can come with a hefty price to pay - in some cases this can be up to six months imprisonment and a fine.
Humberside Police have told us some of the most inappropriate 999 calls they have received.
■ There is one cow mooing too loudly at another cow in the field.
■ There is a suspicious seagull on Bridlington Harbour.
■ Someone has knocked down my snowman.
■ I just called to say good morning.
■ I want to report that the Prime Minister has just lied on national TV.
■ The hairdresser has cut my hair wrong. I want the police to come and sort it.
■ There are two foxes in my garden, they are staring at me.
A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said: “Inappropriate calls to our 999 and 101 lines can have a major impact and cause delays for those who need genuine assistance and emergency services. It’s vital that people make the right call.”
Humberside Police have also shared details of their contact lines and which you should use.
They said: “If you are in an emergency, call 999 immediately.
“If you are reporting a non-emergency or have information relating to an ongoing investigation, you can contact us on 101 or through direct message on our main Force accounts which are monitored.
“We have an online reporting tool for reporting non-emergency crimes www.humberside.police.uk/report-it.
“For advice and information on various topics, you can visit our website: www.humberside.police.uk/information-advice.