Force makes plea over time-wasting 999 calls

A police force has urged those making inappropriate 999 calls to stop "wasting valuable resources in our contact centres".

Dorset Police said it received more than 6,000 calls to the number over the past two weeks, with some not relating to a crime or emergency.

These included people wanting a telephone number for a taxi and someone whose car was blocked in by another vehicle at an allotment.

Ch Supt Julie Howe said the line should remain clear so officers could "quickly and efficiently respond to callers who may be in immediate danger or witnessing a crime."

"These calls are wasting valuable resources in our contact centres - officers and staff waiting to answer calls from those members of public who do urgently need our help," she said.