999 Calls

[flip_flop]

I'm gobsmacked!

On the news last night they played some excerpts from some 999 calls, including (paraphrasing);

"...I can't find my glasses and I'm trying to prepare my lunch..."
"...The bus is late..."
"...there's an injured pigeon in the road and I don't have any money to phone the RSPCA..."
"...There's a grey squirrell but no chestnut trees around for it to climb on..."

I know there are some complete cretins out there, but surely even the most cretinous idiot should know not to call 999 to complain a bloody bus is late.

What goes through their minds as they are dialling?

[squarebear]

I personally would lock these people up, as they serve no use to society with a mentality like that.

[naomi24]

The mind boggles - theirs as well as mine!!!!

[puddicat]

They should be charged with wasting police time, no matter what there age is!!!!!!

[Oneeyedvic]

I am reminded of the original Cross Roads series where Benny rang 999 because he needed to contact someone in an 'emergency' and on the phone it said to dial the number in case of emergency.

Benny was obviously a fictional character who had learning difficulties.

Should all people with learning difficulties be locked up as they don't serve a use to society?

I didn't see the program but have seen similar before.

If someone does this deliberately, then of course they should be charged. But if someone genuinely does not understand, should they be treated like this?

As a matter of interest, in which of the following examples do you think it is appropriate to dial 999?

a) If you see a fight?
b) If you see someone / a group committing vandalism?
c) You get home and have been burgled?
d) You see some dangerous driving?

[Gromit]

Viv,

a, b, and d

You should report c to your local police and it will take you ages to find their number.

A national not emergency number for contacting the police should be created.

[Le Chat]

There really are many people who have a complete lack of common sense, even if they are considered intelligent in other areas.
I remember one particular lady who was a solicitor by trade wondering why, after so many manicures, her nails were paper thin and dry. It eventually came out, that she soaked them in household bleach every week to make them white! So, an intelligent woman, wasn't able to make the corrolation that bleach, which is used for destroying germs and can strip the colour clean out of a black dress, wasn't 'good' for her nails.
Plenty of academia but daft as a brush! I tell ya!

[Gromit]

Sorry Vic

[keyplus90]

You do not get a degree in common sense in any university of the world.

[Miss-Ladybug]

I must agree with One Eyed Vic,
Squarbear these people should not be locked up!

If its a prank they should be charged and if it is not then they need help.

I am often very confused on what things u should phone the police for. And yes, a national non-emergency number should most definately be created.

[JonnyBoy12]

The number for non-emergency police calls is:

08457 444 888


Not sure if this is national, but it works for my region, and it is a low cost call.

[squarebear]

But they are diverting resources fom people who need them.

Imagine trying to ring 999 because your house was on fire and couldn't get through becuase some idiot had rung them saying they had lost their glasses.

These people are a menace and a danger and should be locked up.

[redcrx]

calls are always prioritised and crews are removed from one call to race to another if deemed more important but theres always going to be times when the crews cant get to the right place at right time because of some prat who thinks its amusing to call the fire engine out to a phone box in middle of nowhere.

Those that are deliberately making false calls for fun should be told exactly how critical those wasted minutes are to someone who is stuck in a burning building or in a car wreck waiting for the fire brigade.

[Gromit]

Thank you JonnyBoy12, I didn't know that number.

08457 444 888 should be publicised more.

[Oneeyedvic]

That's West Mercia's number.

I have our local police station on my mobile (no point in digging it out as it is a local code)

[JonnyBoy12]

Yes, sorry, have just found out that is West Mercia's number, thought it was for all national non-emergencies.

Think we will be able to phone 101 later this year, not to be confused with 112, which IS for emergency calls.

Follow the below link (sorry, don't know how to paste it in correctly:


http://www.silicon.com/publicsector/0,38000104 03,39157051,00.htm

[mandamoo1989]

The 101 non-emergency number was piloted in my native north-east, to great success. However, the government has since decided to scrap the scheme. The stupid thing is that it was a really good idea.

[bigmamma]

In my county , certainly in the town I live in , the non-emergency number is written in large on both sides of all the Police vehicles , and is also in the local directory free to all households.

[RevFunk]

The technology is available to track these people, so we should and then fine them 500 quid.

It would soon stop.