LONDON -- When should you call the emergency services? Clue: Not if you've been chased by a badger or had your sandwich stolen by a seagull.
Those were among the time-wasting reports dialled in to Avon & Somerset's 999 service (the UK equivalent of 911) in a short period of time this week.
The local police force have been tweeting some of the emergency calls they've received. It seems that west country residents don't have any reservations about picking up the phone.
One agitated caller rang in with a particularly harrowing report.
"I just got chased by a badger in the Yeovil area, is that something you guys would need to know about? I've literally just got away."
"I didn't see where it went... I ran away. After jangling my keys at it a bit and shouting at it it ran off."
Another person called to report a serious theft in town, but the operator wasn't too impressed.
"You're through to the police. What's the location of your emergency?"
"Hello? Right, I'm outside McDonalds in the centre of Bristol right? I've just walked out of Sainsbury's towards McDonalds and one of them seagulls tried to rip the sandwich out of my hand. If you look on the camera..."
"OK, hold on a second. What's this got to do with the police?"
"...."
"It's a seagull."
*Hangs up*
There were plenty of others. One caller couldn't get into her home, another had lost their luggage and another was just plain lost. Among 71 inappropriate calls, one person was simply trying to get hold of the Queen.
999 call from woman locked out of her home. Not something that should be reported via 999 - you might be blocking an emergency call #ASP24— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
Caller asked to speak to the Queen! Just one of the 71 inappropriate calls taken today. #ASP24— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
Call from man in #HarveyNicholls complaining they wouldn't take his e-vouchers. Not police matter or emergency. #ASP24 Goodluck Harvey Nic's— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
Lady called on 999 to complain about airport losing luggage and delivering it to her neighbours who were out! Not an emergency! #ASP24— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
Call taken from a man in Wiltshire asking where Albion Place is in #Bath. Call handler referred him to the internet or a street map #ASP24— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
999 call received asking if it was illegal for a shop to refuse a voucher he had printed from the internet #ASP24 pic.twitter.com/cUc9nqGckX— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
Taken 999 call from a woman complaining that she is staying in a guest house & the owner won't cook breakfast -clearly a misue of 999. ASP24— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015
Hopefully the live tweeting event helped get their message across.
71 calls today that took time away from genuine emergency calls. Think before you dial. #ASP24 pic.twitter.com/42ZBCzrJYe— ASPoliceLIVE (@ASPoliceLIVE) July 22, 2015