Devon and Cornwall Police issue 999 plea as calls surge

Before you pick up the phone and dial 999, the police want you to stop and think. Devon and Cornwall Police are asking people to keep the emergency line clear after a single day brought more than 1,300 calls, and most were not emergencies at all.

The numbers behind the warning

In a message posted on Friday, the force said it had taken 1,305 calls on 999 the day before. That was a 46.6% increase on last year. Of all those calls, only 23% were genuine emergencies.

The rest tied up call handlers who could have been helping people in real danger.

When 999 is not the right number

The force was clear about the kinds of problems that should never reach 999. Noise complaints, parking issues, fly-tipping and housing problems all belong with your local council, not the emergency services.

What to do instead

For anything that is not an emergency, the police pointed to a few options. You can report online or find advice on the Devon and Cornwall Police website. You can visit one of the force’s front offices in person. Or you can call 101, though officers warned to expect delays.

One tip worth knowing about 101

If you do call 101, you can request a callback so you do not lose your place in the queue.

Why this weekend is different

A combination of the World Cup, hot weather and a run of big events has left police teams stretched. The force said its teams are extremely busy and asked the public to be patient.

The message ended with a simple request, to only get in touch when absolutely necessary.