DORSET and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) has reminded people that making a hoax call to the emergency services will not be tolerated. 

It comes after a hoax call was made to the service at 1.56pm on Friday, April 29. 

The individual’s number who made the call has been forwarded to the police. 

DWFRS said in a tweet that hoax calls are “absolutely not acceptable, regardless if your mate did it for you. 

“Not only is it an offence, but it ties up emergency operators when they can be dealing with a real incident with people in danger."

Area Manager Damien Bence hit out a hoax callers, saying: “Making hoax and malicious 999 calls is a criminal offence.  

“Fire Control is experienced in identifying hoax calls, and most do not result in crews being mobilised. 

“However, when firefighters are sent to such calls, it means they are not available for real, potentially life-threatening incidents.  

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

“If you know someone who makes hoax calls, please report them to the police or Crimestoppers.”