Hoax calls put lives at risk

listen: 999 prank call to South Western Ambulance

Paramedics from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) are reminding parents to keep an eye on their mobile phones during the school holidays after the service has had a number of unnecessary 999 prank calls from children.

The 999 control hubs in the South West have received a number of hoax calls that have resulted in vital emergency resources being sent to peoples’ houses only to find no one there when they arrive. When they rang the caller back they were met with children laughing. This wasted journey meant that the crew were unable to attend genuine patients in need of care.

South Western Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Ken Wenman says, “Making hoax calls can put lives at risk. We strongly encourage parents to impress upon their children the importance of only dialing 999 in a genuine emergency situation. It is vital that people understand and appreciate the consequences associated with making hoax calls. We work with the police and other partners to seek the prosecution of people who abuse the 999 system.”