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Police shame 999 time wasters on YouTube
"Hello police? I've lost my glasses"

By Nick Heath

Published: Tuesday 29 July 2008

Losing your glasses or forgetting the answer to a quiz question could hardly be classed as a matter of life or death.

But that did not stop some callers in Somerset from hitting 999 and berating exasperated emergency operators about their wife's sub standard salmon sandwiches or their difficulties peeling potatoes.

Now Avon and Somerset Police have turned to YouTube to shame timewasters for tying up a line where delays can cost lives.

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The force has posted the 999 calls on YouTube and hopes it will help track down hoax callers, who face up to six months in jail and a £5,000 in court.

One caller tells the operator: "My wife has left me two salmon sandwiches, which was left over from last night…She won't put any food out or anything."

The operator replied: "I'm sorry but it's not an emergency because your wife won't give you anything to eat."

Another caller says: "I've lost my glasses, the one's that are for my near sight…I'm trying to do my lunch and I can't see to do my potatoes."

The operator says: "You're through to the police, I can't come and look for your glasses, I'm sorry you will have to peel your potatoes on your own."

Chief superintendent Dave Hayler, head of communications for Avon and Somerset Police, said: "We made the decision to put these examples of inappropriate 999 calls into the public domain because it is important people realise that wasting the time of the emergency services could cost lives. What could seem a harmless joke could prevent 999 services responding to a real emergency.

"We will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and anyone making hoax calls could face a serious criminal conviction."