The Police say 799,845 or 64% of the 999 calls answered in the first half this year proved to be nuisance or misdialled calls, advising the public not to abuse the emergency service.

The 999 calls the Police Regional Command & Control Centres answer from all over Hong Kong reached 1,245,196 - but only 445,351, or 36% of them, were genuine.

The Police noted the misuse of the emergency hotline would unnecessarily engage centres' operators and delay the handling of emergencies.

Call abuses not only affect the efficiency in handling emergency situations, but also endanger the lives of people at risk by postponing their access to the service.

Alternatively, those needing help are advised to contact the Police stations which could also promptly handle most crime reports and non-emergency events.

Click here for the telephone and fax numbers of Police stations as well as Police hotlines.