Police urge people to call 999 in emergencies only as more than 73% of the 3.58 million calls answered last year were nuisance or misdialled calls.

Misuse will unnecessarily engage operators who will otherwise be handling genuine emergency calls. Any abuse of the service will affect Police efficiency in handling genuine emergencies. At worst, it can put the lives of people experiencing real emergencies at risk by delaying their access to the 999 service.

Police stations can promptly handle most crime reports and requests of non-emergency nature. The Police Contact Card, containing the telephone and fax numbers of all Police stations as well as Police hotlines, is available for collection at all Police stations and district offices.