'An inappropriate 999 call could mean somebody with a genuine emergency is waiting. Lives could be lost'

It is part of a new campaign by the force urging people to make sure they are calling 999 for the right reasons.

Last year, almost 600,000 calls were made to the 999 and 101 communications centre in Devizes and while many of them where for the correct reason, a number were not.

Wiltshire Police says it wants to remind people to make sure they are using the lines properly or they could put someone’s life in danger.

To highlight this, call-handlers from Devizes will be explain what their job entails to raise awareness of the importance of their job.

Jess Hamilton, 26, says she can deals with a wide variety of calls, some far more serious than others.

She said: “One Sunday, I was taking 999 calls on the early shift. The first 999 call I took was from a very distressed female who said she had just found that her daughter had hung herself.

“All I could hear in the background was someone else screaming and crying and it was difficult to hear what the caller was saying.

“This was the first call I had ever taken of this nature, and there is only so much training that can prepare you for such a call.

“I stayed on the phone with the woman until officers and ambulance arrived. The woman thanked me afterwards for my help and kindness.

“Often, the most memorable calls are also some of the most obscure. I recently took a call from someone who was out rollerblading at night. The caller said they had come across a steep hill that they couldn’t rollerblade up and wanted an officer to come and pick them up.”

While the less important calls are often entertaining to read, there is a serious side the police are trying to get across.

Chief Constable Mike Veale said: “999 - it is a number everyone knows, whether they are three or 93. Fortunately, not all of us will ever need to dial it, but for those that do, it is likely to be a time of panic, hysteria, anger and confusion.

“Our trained call handlers deal with these extreme emotions on a daily basis and always in a calm and professional manner.

“However, we cannot stress enough how important it is to think before you dial 999. Is it an emergency? Do you need a police response immediately? And is the crime in progress right now? If not, call 101.

"An inappropriate 999 call could mean somebody with a genuine emergency is kept waiting. Lives could be lost. Please think.”

The week will culminate with a 12-hour tweetathon on Friday when the Wiltshire Police Twitter account will be giving regular updates of the calls coming in.