Dorset Police is sharing an example of people misusing the 999-emergency line following a recent appeal to the public after an influx of calls at the Force’s busiest time of the year.
The first clip is one in a series to highlight some of the calls received by 999 during the busy summer months that do not relate to a crime or even a police matter.
Chief Superintendent Julie Howe, of Dorset Police, said: “We are releasing a variety of short snippets to remind the public to only call 999 if there is a crime in progress or danger to life.
“Misusing the emergency line means we get to people in real need less quickly. Calling 999 for anything else, other than a crime in progress or danger to life, may slow down our response to people who may be in immediate danger or witnessing a crime.
“The clips we are releasing demonstrate the examples of calls our staff receive, with several a day often not relating to an emergency, crime, or even a police matter.
“Our message is very clear: if there is a crime in progress or a danger to life, please continue to call 999. In non-emergency situations, you can contact us on 101, fill in an online form on the Dorset Police website, or by reporting a non-urgent crime at a police station enquiry office or community contact point. We can only help on police matters.
“We want everyone to have a good, safe summer. You will see us out at busy locations as part of our high-visibility patrols helping you stay safe.”
This is the first in a series of clips we will be releasing throughout the summer. We will be releasing more on our social media channels. You can find a link to download the first clip here: https://app.mbf.me/r-bbd09673
Please call 999 if there is a danger to life or crime in progress. To provide information in a non-emergency situation call 101 or visit the Dorset Police website: https://www.dorset.police.uk/
Ten Ridiculous Calls to 999 in the UK:
🧀 1. “My pizza hasn’t arrived.”
Someone called 999 to complain that their takeaway pizza was late and they were hungry.
☕ 2. “There’s a squirrel in my kitchen.”
A panicked caller rang 999 because a squirrel had made its way indoors and was “terrorising the cat.”
📺 3. “Coronation Street’s been cancelled.”
A disgruntled TV viewer called emergency services when their favourite soap wasn’t on.
🚽 4. “I’ve run out of toilet roll.”
A man phoned 999 asking police to bring him some toilet paper because he was “in a bit of a pickle.”
🎉 5. “My friend’s snoring too loudly.”
A caller dialled 999 in the middle of the night because their friend’s snoring was keeping them awake.
🐝 6. “There’s a wasp in my hallway.”
Someone genuinely believed the presence of a wasp was reason enough to involve emergency services.
📱 7. “Can you give me the time, please?”
A caller rang 999 just to ask for the time of day. When asked why they didn’t look at their phone, they said, “I didn’t want to use my minutes.”
🧥 8. “My coat’s stuck in the door.”
A woman called police because her coat was caught in the door of a taxi that had driven off.
💇♀️ 9. “My hairdresser’s done a bad job.”
This caller felt their new haircut was so terrible, it warranted police intervention.
🚗 10. “I’ve locked myself in my car.”
A woman called 999 from her mobile after accidentally locking herself inside her car. She was advised to pull up the lock.
These types of calls waste valuable emergency resources and time. Police often remind the public that 999 should only be used for genuine emergencies — threats to life, serious injuries, or crimes in progress.
Please be sensible and aware of others’s needs that are far more urgent.