Cooker not working? Don't call 101! Police say force plagued by inappropriate calls

West Mercia Police said that while the majority of people getting in touch do so for the right reasons, many calls the force receives are nuisance and inappropriate.

Chief Inspector Sean Kent, of the operations communication centre for West Mercia Police, said they can be on a range of subjects, including parking and missing pets.

He said: "We acknowledge that a majority of the public will call police for help relating to situations that they find themselves in.

"Throughout the West Mercia Police force area we do receive calls to the 101 number regarding non-policing matters such as potholes, lost dogs or fly tipping.

"These realistically should be directed to and dealt with by local authority services, instead of being sign posted by our call handlers to other organisations, and we work alongside our partner agencies to address this.

"We will continue to educate our local communities to the purpose of the 101 number, and the effect it can have in preventing urgent calls being received.

"Due to the high volume of calls received, our call handlers must use their time effectively to provide the best service possible, and to ensure that the correct police response is given.

"In incidents when police are required such as reporting a crime that has already happened, getting crime prevention advice, giving police information about crime in your area, contacting local officers or any other non-emergency, then the 101 number should be called.

"It should be stressed that in an emergency, where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress, always call 999."

Inspector Kent also gave other examples of inappropriate calls – he said one caller bought a cooker and it had no wire on the back. The vendor had refused a refund so they called the police to help.

Police advised them to contact Trading Standards.

Another more recent complaint police received on 101 was from a man whose neighbours parked legally outside his house and he found it inconvenient.

Northumbria Police have also revealed some of the inappropriate calls they have received through their 101 service – including complaints about the custody of a hamster, the seasoning of a burger and an overly amorous dog.