Hull: Make the right call

Would you call emergency services if you saw a “sad looking horse” or thought your other half was cheating on you?

Believe it or not, these are just some of the calls that have been received in the last couple of weeks – many of which came through on 999.

Today Police are releasing details of some of those calls in the hope that by highlighting them it will make those who put other’s lives at risk think twice before they pick up the phone.

Superintendent Tracy Bradley said: “The number of calls for help we receive is going up every day and we want to make sure that when you need us, we are there.

“We always see an increase in demand when it’s sunny. Add the World Cup into the mix too and calls go up in even more”.

However, a lot are from people calling to ask for information on crime prevention or updates on when roads will reopen following crashes and there are other ways of getting this information without calling 101.

Supt Bradley added: “You can get all the latest updates on road closures from our force Twitter and Facebook accounts, or via the Highways Agency.

 “To find out about what’s happening in your area, you can also sign up for My Community Alert or follow your local neighbourhood team on social media.

TEN EXAMPLES OF CALLS EMERGENCY SERVICES HAVE RECEIVED IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS

1. A man had used the last of his money to buy his friend some Tampax. He called us to tell us about his good deed.
2. A man spent five minutes arguing with us after being told by an officer he couldn’t have blue lights on his car. He couldn’t understand why he couldn’t when it was okay for cyclists to have blue lights.
3. A woman wanted us to do a lie detector on her partner, who she thinks is cheating on her.
4. A caller wanted to let us know they had seen a horse which ‘looked sad’ and they were concerned.
5. A woman asked us to intervene with a shop which wouldn’t allow her to return some ‘faulty’ tobacco she had bought.
6. A man called to ask the time.
7. A caller wanted us to help after their electricity went off and they were unable to switch it back on.
8. A man who had got a puncture on his bike wanted us to give him a lift home.
9. A woman called to say she had put her partner in handcuffs then lost the key. She wanted to know if she could use one of our keys. She called again later to say her partner’s hands were turning blue.
10. Callers dialling 101 to ask for the contact numbers for other services.