A Northumbria Police Ford Focus In Tyne and Wear, England (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Leeds 999 Call Hoax – Misuse of the 999 system
On Monday at 10.53 am a 999 call sparked off a police nationwide appeal to find ‘ Ellie’ and her mummy who had fallen and wasnt moving. Ellie only knew some of her address and details and unusually for mobile phones the one she was using couldnt be traced. The call lasted 33 mins while the 999 operator frantically tried to find their location and the police scoured all resources. It was a frightning situation.
It turned out the call was made in Bridlington. It was the work of two very stupid ten year old girls who were prank calling.
While collectively I am sure the police and followers of the appeal breathed a sigh of relief there was no small child begging her mum to wake up , helpless and alone there was anger too.
How could two ten year olds do this? Why would they?
In this country anyone can dial 999 and expect immediate medical help or police, fire, coastguard help if need be. Its a free service. But the question is , is it abused?
The operators get hundreds of hoaxers every day thinking its funny to watch services race to false scenes. Wasting tax payers money, resources, taking vital help away from genuine people ..its a sick trend.
For over half a hour these two idiot girls duped the operator, so where were the parents? What do the parents think? Should the police charge them with wasting police time.? Should they apologise to the people who were frantic with worry? How do we teach the children and other hoaxers there is a line you don’t cross?
999 is a privilege its not a game
Should more be done? Should calls be screened?
What would you do if it was your child doing it?
About The Real Supermum
I know of the few occasions when I have phoned 999 and you are asked which service you require as you are put through to the correct people they at that point pass on your phone number than shows up even if you have a withheld number . These girls probably thought they would not get caught, but I feel there should be some punishment for them – but they are probably bragging to their friends how clever they are etc.
If one of them was mine I know they would be severely punished in what ever way I thought appropriate.
I would punish my daughter if she ever did this. They need to be taught what they did was wrong. I hope they don’t get away with this!
My daughter is 9 an if I ever found out she has done this she would be in a heap of trouble, but one thing I am questioning is where were these girls parents. Iwon’t leave my daughter alone in the house. I hope there parents name an shame the girls xx
See things like this make me ashamed to say I’m from Leeds! If that was my daughter I’d be ballistic! They need something to be done so they know that’s it’s not tolerated .. and like Anouska says where were the girls parents?
I used to work in a police 999 control room and I can assure you it’s certainly not just kids who abuse the 9′s, the calls received on the ‘emergency’ number beggared belief and most were from adults, people who had lost car keys, needed the number of the local takeaway at 3am, the list is endless – we need a serious media campaign to highlight what the REAL cost of abuse of the system, not just financially but also the people who can’t get access to help when the genuinely NEED it cos some twerp wants to know how to get red wine out of their parents carpet before they get back off holiday.
I think at the age of 10 you know right from wrong. It is sad that people do this type of thing. I have had to call for ambulances on many occasion due to my job and been told I will have to wait several hours. Due to these girls stupidity someone could have lost a life as they had to wait longer for a service. I think the children and the parents should be named and shamed. Those 10 year olds should be punished and maybe should maybe spend some time in the call centre listening to the upsetting calls that come through to the 999 call centre. Maybe also watch a video of how hoax calls can cause a families world be torn apart.
If my son evr did this he would have one hell of an eye opener and he would not get away with it.
They should be named and shamed, all hoax callers should! If they were mine they would have no access to any technology whatsoever and not leaving their room apart from to use the bathroom until term starts!
Name and shame, I would be embarrassed if that was my child x
Alot of the media have mentioned it being down to ‘boredom’ well im sorry but what a load of crap ! the parents are to blame as much as the chidren in my eyes. not one when iv been bored have i thought i’d make a prank call and cost the system hundreds of pounds, waste our sacred resources but most of all put peoples lives at risk by taking up the time of these servicemen and women that could be in desperate need for someone that really needs them. Yes at 10 years old they know right from wrong independantly but if brought up with the correct morals and discipline and dont see why any child would even give it a thought ? what is our next generation coming to ??? xxx
I would kick there arses and make them do community service to pay back the resources they had wasted! How dare they! Stupid little brats!
I would be so dissapointed if that were my children! Name n shame I say x
Name and shame… M do it if it were my kids and I’d make them do community service like rubbish picking n stuff even if I hate to drag em out!!