Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Constantine, near Falmouth at 01/06/2013 12:07

Imagine the devastating effects of a fire in a home and the hard work that brave firefighters do to save life and property. Now imagine someone who dials 999 and says that there is a house on fire when they know that there isn't. Those same brave firefighters now have to investigate, taking them away from people who may genuinely need their help.

This is what happened this afternoon when someone wasted the time of firefighters from Falmouth Community Fire Station, when they responded to an abandoned call to a house fire. The female caller gave part of an address that needed investigating before the fire crew determined that the call was a hoax. Making false 999 calls is a criminal offence and Devon & Cornwall Police have been informed. They have requested a copy of the recording of the hoax call, in the hope that this will secure a conviction when the culprit is found and prosecuted.

If you know of anyone making hoax calls to the emergency services, please report it immediately to the police.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7167