FIREFIGHTERS were called out to an average of three malicious false alarms a week in 2017, according to new figures.

Last year, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service was called out to 154 hoax calls – a rise of 17 from 137 in the previous 12 months.

A spokesman for the fire service said that the “thoughtless behaviour” of hoax callers “endangered the lives of the public”.

Making hoax calls can result in a person being fined and/or being given a six-month prison sentence.

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire service said: “Making hoax and malicious calls is a criminal offence.

“Such calls tie up emergency crews so they are not available for real, potentially life-threatening incidents.

“The fire and rescue service receives dozens of such calls every year, made from payphones, mobile phones and landlines.

“We also have issues with people deliberately smashing break-glass alarm points.

“Malicious callers are not only an enormous drain on resources; their thoughtless behaviour endangers the lives and safety of the public.

“All calls to our control room are recorded and can be instantly traced back to the caller. This doesn’t just apply to landlines; even calls from payphones and mobiles are taped and can be traced.

“The 141 function or equivalent does not block the number when you call 999.”

In persistent problem areas, the fire service is able to install specialist or use existing CCTV to help identify offenders.