Stop putting lives at risk

The startling claim comes from Lancashire Police, who say the number of 999 calls they receive has 'dramatically increased' because of an explosion in mobile phone use.

Most emergency calls are genuine, but operators are receiving more and more 'silent' and non-emergency calls -- including one query about police topping up mobile phone credit!

Chief Inspector Val Prince said: "Operators in the communications centre work in an extremely stressful environment answering numerous calls every day.

"Members of the public must simply remember that the emergency 999 system must only be used when there is an immediate threat to life or property.

"Calling 999 when it is not an emergency ties up a vital line and operator and could prevent or delay someone with a real emergency from getting through to us, which in turn could cost lives."

Chief Insp Prince continued: "There are the ever increasing number of silent calls that operators are taking when mobile phones are activated in error in people's pockets and bags.

"In recent weeks we have taken calls from mobile users who are using the 999 emergency line as a switchboard facility to contact individual police officers, and with bizarre requests, such as 'can the police top up pay as you go accounts?'

The police are advising Chorley's mobile phone users to use the key lock facility on their handset to prevent silent 999 calls to the police. And they should think carefully about whether their call is a genuine emergency before phoning.

"Our advice would be for mobile users to programme the local non-emergency police telephone number into their mobile and use that whenever the call does not require an immediate response from the police or other emergency services," said CI Prince.

Chorley Police Station can be contacted on 01257 269021.

The police call for careful thinking comes closely after a plea from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service for care, after they were flooded with non-emergency calls during the recent bad weather.