Hoax Calls

Unfortunately the Fire and Rescue Service receive many hoax calls. The majority of these calls are from children, although we do receive a lot of hoax calls from adults too.

Making a hoax call is time wasting for fire-fighters and control operators who have to investigate the call and can be very dangerous for you - the public.

Whilst a fire appliance from your local fire station is investigating a hoax call, you may have a real emergency. We would then have to send a fire engine from another fire station which will be further away and consequently it will take longer to get to you.

Time is vital. Fires do not wait. They get out of control.

People's lives could be put in danger because of a Hoax Call.

Tracing Hoax Calls

When you dial 999 for the Fire and Rescue Service - whether it be from your own telephone, a telephone kiosk or a mobile phone, the number you are calling from is displayed to the telephone exchange operator.

The Fire and Rescue Service control operator can then ask the telephone exchange operator for these details and you can be traced.

Mobile phones, just like landline telephones, can be traced even if your phone is not registered with your service provider. We can still obtain your telephone number and, if necessary, have your telephone barred from use.

People who make hoax calls will be found.