MINDLESS idiots are still putting people's lives at risk.
This is the message from the emergency services in Dorset who say malicious or hoax 999 calls are diverting units away from real emergencies.
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, Dorset Police, South West Ambulance Service and the coastguards have told the Echo hoax callers are simply "irresponsible".
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Dorset Police said they have recorded around 1,000 hoax calls in the last two financial years.
Examples include a young girl who said her mum wouldn't let her go out and called 999 for help, drunks calling for a lift home and people calling and then hanging up.
Chief Inspector Steve White, who is head of the control room which deals with 999 calls, said to hoax callers: "Don't waste our time. A large amount of our valuable time is wasted dealing with these unnecessary reports and there is a tragic knock-on effect with people wanting to speak to us about a genuine emergency potentially getting a poor service."
He warned people abusing the system they could face an £80 on-the-spot fine or prosecution.
The fire service said they received 370 malicious or hoax calls in Dorset last year and attended 175 of these - around 47 per cent.
Roy Pinder, prevention policy manager for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, said the service uses a policy which enables control room officers to challenge a caller if they believe it to be a hoax and make the decision not to send an emergency vehicle.
He said hoax calls have reduced since the policy was introduced in 2000 when the service received 562 malicious calls and attended 538 of them - 96 per cent.
Mr Pinder added: "We can't be in two places at once. If we are on a malicious call or attend a call which turns out to be malicious and a real fire occurs, that person will have to wait for the fire unit to arrive.
"People are still putting someone else's life at risk through malicious or hoax calls."
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said Portland Coastguards, who cover the coastline from Exmouth to Chewton Bunny, near Christchurch, receive emergency calls via 999 calls or through the VHF mayday distress call.
In 2006 they attended 32 hoax incidents, and last year coastguards dealt with 35.
A spokesman said: "A call is treated as genuine until it's determined as a hoax. If they are dealing with a call that turns out to be a hoax, someone else may be in genuine trouble and may need those resources. It has a knock-on effect with all the rescue teams including coastguard rescue and RNLI.
"It is totally irresponsible and it could put other people's lives at risk".
Posted by: laurie marsh, australia on 12:17pm Sun 7 Sep 08
The only people who will listen to this story are people who would not even think of making a hoax call!
These stories only turn up on slow news days submitted by desperate "journalists"!
The only people who will listen to this story are people who would not even think of making a hoax call!
These stories only turn up on slow news days submitted by desperate "journalists"!
Posted by: Nickolai, Bournemouth on 3:13pm Sun 7 Sep 08
[quote][bold]John[/bold] wrote:
Well, well, well, something had to be added, as a matter of urgency, to distract us from the surprise removal of the Dave Wells thread! [/quote] Yet again, the gutless OHEC has bowed to hopeless pc and removed a thread about a discredited and unloved figure - are we not allowed to have freedom of speech ? I know this is a Socialist totalitarian state ( not for much longer) but I din't realise the press hasn't the guts to allow people to speak their mind.
John wrote:
Well, well, well, something had to be added, as a matter of urgency, to distract us from the surprise removal of the Dave Wells thread!
Yet again, the gutless OHEC has bowed to hopeless pc and removed a thread about a discredited and unloved figure - are we not allowed to have freedom of speech ? I know this is a Socialist totalitarian state ( not for much longer) but I din't realise the press hasn't the guts to allow people to speak their mind.
Posted by: DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire on 4:41pm Sun 7 Sep 08
[quote][bold]John[/bold] wrote:
Well, well, well, something had to be added, as a matter of urgency, to distract us from the surprise removal of the Dave Wells thread! [/quote] Just as it was getting REALY interesing!
Even Pravda did't do as good a job on censorship.
John wrote:
Well, well, well, something had to be added, as a matter of urgency, to distract us from the surprise removal of the Dave Wells thread!
Just as it was getting REALY interesing!
Even Pravda did't do as good a job on censorship.
Posted by: Grumble, Oakdale on 5:50pm Sun 7 Sep 08
I think you'll find DW has friends high-up in the Echo organisation, that's why he's always Mr Wells Landlord or Mr Wells Property Developer, rather than his more often used title!
Any bets on how long these comments stay-up?
I think you'll find DW has friends high-up in the Echo organisation, that's why he's always Mr Wells Landlord or Mr Wells Property Developer, rather than his more often used title!
Any bets on how long these comments stay-up?
Posted by: twynham, Christchurch, Where time is beautiful. on 8:32pm Sun 7 Sep 08
Just a thought.
Next time there is a story relating to Mr. Wells or Mr. Carr why don’t we all copy and paste the comments, which will undoubtedly be on a par with those of last evening, and add them to every crap filler story the Echo puts on it’s web site; that would soon get rid of rubbish like this.
Just a thought.
Next time there is a story relating to Mr. Wells or Mr. Carr why don’t we all copy and paste the comments, which will undoubtedly be on a par with those of last evening, and add them to every crap filler story the Echo puts on it’s web site; that would soon get rid of rubbish like this.
Posted by: dancingdog777, Christchurch on 8:44pm Sun 7 Sep 08
Poor Mr Wells. He paid the price of his crimes by serving time in prison and has changed. Just because he rents out accomodation to others who are like he used to be , you all hate him.
God worked a miracle on Dave Wells when he was in prison, by persuading him to help others less fortunate than he was. Ok, he employs some tough guys to help him collect rent from reluctant tennants, what's he supposed to do if someone refuses to pay their dues, send round a granny on a mobility scooter?
Poor Mr Wells. He paid the price of his crimes by serving time in prison and has changed. Just because he rents out accomodation to others who are like he used to be , you all hate him.
God worked a miracle on Dave Wells when he was in prison, by persuading him to help others less fortunate than he was. Ok, he employs some tough guys to help him collect rent from reluctant tennants, what's he supposed to do if someone refuses to pay their dues, send round a granny on a mobility scooter?
**** BREAKING NEWS****
In another world shattering news item today (Sunday), the Echo reveals that a young lady who broke her leg does not have life threatening injuries, though she is likely to be uncomfortable!
I guess she would not have a leg to stand on if she had made a 999 call!
****BREAKING NEWS****
**** BREAKING NEWS****
In another world shattering news item today (Sunday), the Echo reveals that a young lady who broke her leg does not have life threatening injuries, though she is likely to be uncomfortable!
I guess she would not have a leg to stand on if she had made a 999 call!
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