Police warning after caller rings 999 to ask about electric bill

West Yorkshire Police has issued a warning about misusing the 999 number after experiencing its busiest ever day last month.

The force’s contact centre was called just under 6,500 times on July 11, including more than 2,300 999 calls.

However, police have issued a reminder about only using the 999 number in an emergency after detailing some calls which included someone calling about their electric bill.

The force said on that single Saturday in July, the force had a 999 call from someone who didn’t know what to do with their electric bill and another from someone complaining their neighbour had swore at them.

In a statement on Facebook, West Yorkshire Police said: “On Saturday 11 July we received 6,475 contacts. This included 2,328 calls to 999.

“As always, our dedicated call handlers did their very best to answer this demand as quickly and effectively as they could, but in times like this we really need you to help us to help you!

“Unfortunately, we continue to receive calls that should not be made via 999.

“Remember, only call 999 if there is a crime in progress or a real danger to life. Otherwise, use our online contact methods to report crime, get updates or find advice.

Our call handlers can only deal with issues that are actually a crime, by calling us for anything else you are preventing us from helping the people who really need us.”