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999 calls to track Santa
A CALLER dialled 999 on Christmas Day to ask South Yorkshire Police how Santa was getting on with his deliveries, the force has revealed.
Police have released details of nuisance calls in a bid to cut the number of pranks on New Year's Eve - potentially the force's busiest night of the year.
A police spokesman said over the festive period call-handlers received several calls from pranksters ringing up to ask where Santa was.
Another caller rang 999 to ask the police to contact their gas company. The hoax calls could have cost police officers vital time in responding to serious incidents such as fatal car smashes caused by the wintry weather. The spokesman said: "While children will argue that presents on Christmas Day are essential, making an emergency call to the police asking how Santa is getting on is certainly not.
"The 999 number exists to deal with crimes in progress or situations where a person's life is at risk.
"Ahead of New Year's Eve tonight - potentially the busiest night of the year for call handlers - we are warning members of the public about the consequences of misusing the emergency system."
Call handlers received just under 10,000 'emergency' calls between Tuesday December 15 and 10am yesterday.
They answered 92 per cent within 10 seconds, with the average wait being eight seconds. Preparations for the festive period began in January at Atlas Court, the Force's call-handling centre, and tonight police expect to receive around 1,500 calls to 999 between midnight and 6am.
Another 1,000 calls are expected to be made to the force's non emergency number 0114 220 2020 and Sheffield's 101 anti-social behaviour hotline.The spokesman said: "All officers and staff wish everyone a Happy New Year but ask members of the public not to return the favour to the team at Atlas Court.
"People should only dial 999 if a life is at risk, someone is being physically threatened, a crime is currently happening, if the offenders are still nearby, or there is a road traffic collision causing personal injury or danger to others."
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
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Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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