Ringing the 999 number and pretending that there is an emergency when there isn't one is known as making a 'hoax' call.
Some people think that making a hoax call is a funny thing to do, but actually it's a really stupid idea...
Some people think that making a hoax call is a funny thing to do, but actually it's a really stupid idea...
If an operator is dealing with a hoax call they are not available to help someone who is genuinely phoning about an emergency.
Imagine how you would feel if you rang up about a real emergency and couldn't get an answer straight away.
If the operator doesn't realise that a call is a hoax they might send a police officer out to deal with the problem. If the police officer is busy going to a hoax call they are not available to go to the real emergency.
Imagine if you call to report seeing someone being threatened with a weapon, you'd want a police officer there as quickly as possible.
You can be traced.
When Norfolk Police receive a 999 phone call they are able to find out the number of the phone from which the call is made. If you ring from a building the police will know which building the call came from, if you ring from a mobile the police can find out who owns the mobile... and if you ring from a public payphone not only will the police be able to find the payphone, you might even be caught on CCTV cameras making the call!
Making hoax 999 calls is against the law. Imagine how embarrassed you would be being caught doing something so stupid!