Proper use of 999 hotline urged

Police appeal to members of the public today (January 31) to make use of the 999 hotline service for emergencies only.

In 2005, a total of 3 576 317 calls were answered by the Regional Command and Control Centres (RCCCs), of which only 940 804 or 26.3% were genuine calls. The remaining 2 635 513 or 73.7% were nuisance or misdialled calls.

A Police spokesman said that misuse of the hotline, such as making nuisance or non-emergency calls, would unnecessarily engage operators of RCCCs who would otherwise be handling genuine emergency calls.

"Any abuse of the service will affect the efficiency of the Police in handling genuine emergencies. At worst, it could put the lives of people experiencing real emergencies at risk by delaying their access to the 999 service," he said.

The spokesman added that Police stations could promptly handle most crime reports and requests of non-emergency nature. The "Police Contact Card" containing the telephone and fax numbers of all Police stations as well as Police hotlines is available for public collection at all Police stations and District Offices.


Police Report No. 3

Issued by PPRB

End/ Tuesday, January 31, 2006