Greater Manchester Police see 19% rise in 999 calls in July

Reports of maggots in a bin and of a car park space being stolen were among 999 calls to Greater Manchester Police in the last four months.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it has seen a "massive influx" in 999 calls, many wasting police time.

The force said there had been a 19% increase in emergency calls in July.

GMP are urging people to only phone 999 if there is a direct and immediate threat to life or property, or if a crime is in progress.

'Puts lives at risk'

Between April and June, GMP said it had dealt with an average of 3,571 emergency and non-emergency calls a day as well as dealt with thousands of other queries.

Emergency calls also included one from a man who rang 999 to request "pregnancy pills".

The force asked people with general inquiries or who wanted to report non-urgent crimes such as the theft of a car and property damage to dial 101.

It said people with complaints about noisy neighbours, stray dogs, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, fly tipping or faulty traffic lights should call local councils.

GMP's Diane Grandidge said: "Every false or inappropriate 999 call wastes precious time that could be spent dealing with genuine emergencies.

"Apart from potentially putting somebody's life at risk, misusing the 999 system is a criminal offence and we have the power to prosecute people for making hoax calls."