Police urge caution after 999 call about spilt coffee

Police are appealing for the public's help to keep 999 lines free for emergencies.

Call handlers had to deal with more than 250 calls in Gloucestershire on Sunday 4 May, and while most were legitimate emergencies, a number were deemed inappropriate and unrelated to urgent police matters.

In once instance, a member of the public called to report that they had found some spilt coffee in their kitchen and during another call someone reported that a man had been rude to staff at a car wash.

A spokesperson for the force explained the control rooms team answers both 999 and 101 calls, so it is important calls are made to the right phone line.