Fifty-four percent of 999 calls received in the first half of this year were either nuisance calls or misdials, Police say.

The 999 hotline received a total of 1,055,466 calls - but only 46% were genuine. Police urge people to use the hotline only for emergencies.

Police say misuse will delay the handling of genuine emergencies and endanger lives of people at risk by delaying their access to service.

Police stations can promptly handle most crime reports and requests of a non-emergency nature.

Contact cards with Police station phone and hotline numbers are available at stations and Home Affairs Department Public Enquiry Service Centres.