 Hoax calls waste firefighters' time and can lead to loss of life |
Hoax callers have been reminded by fire crews they risk having their mobile phones disconnected following reports of a bogus house fire in Thanet. Thirteen phones have been cut off by Kent Fire and Rescue Service in the past year, with another 45 requested.
In the latest incident, firefighters were sent to a house in St Lawrence only to discover they were not needed.
The number was disconnected after it emerged the caller had also made four other hoax calls to ambulance crews.
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The fire service said offenders wasted valuable resources and prevented crews from attending genuine incidents where people's lives may be at risk.
Hoax callers can face fines of up to �5,000 and six months in prison if they are successfully prosecuted.
Anyone making hoax calls from a mobile phone for the first time is sent a text message warning they face being cut off.
If that mobile is used again to make a hoax call, control staff can request disconnection by the service provider.
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