The Met Police Contact Centre has asked people to think before they dial 999 after a male called the emergency line in order to report the fact that an ATM was not working.
A spokesperson for the contact centre said:
“Just one of the inappropriate calls taken earlier today from a 999 operator:
“Guv, there’s a problem, the ATM won’t take my pin number, the staff state that the machine isn’t working”.
This call highlights the very real problem of people using the 999 system inappropriately – a worrying trend that could be putting lives at risk.
We even have a dedicated section on our website that highlights the issue and catalogues some of the most ridiculous 999 calls made to police, ambulance and fire control rooms around the country.
As each control room has a limited number of lines coming into their hubs, when someone makes an inappropriate or hoax 999 call then they could be taking up a line that might be needed by someone who is genuinely in need of emergency help.
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A neighbour called an ambulance for a cut finger too. Some people are too stupid to be allowed out alone.