South Wales Fire Service received 1,112 hoax calls in 12 months

That is the view of South Wales Fire Service, which is to release recordings of fake calls later in a bid to highlight the problem.

In their brigade alone, officers say over 1000 hoax calls were made last year.

Rigorous procedures are now being put in place to try and track down the callers.

Malicious

The new figures have been released to mark the beginning of BT's Hoax Calls Awareness Week, which aims to highlight the consequences of making malicious 999 calls.

The brigade says it received 1,112 hoax calls between April 2003 and March 2004.

Brian Fraser from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they wanted to send out a clear message that hoax and malicious calls would not be tolerated.

"At best, these false calls cost the tax payer almost �500,000 - at worse they could cost someone's life," said Mr Fraser.

"If fire crews are sent to a hoax call, it means that they are not available when someone really needs their help, whether in a fire or a road traffic accident.

It is in everyone's interest to try to put an end to these calls," he added.

The brigade has put in procedures to track down the hoax callers, which they say have already proved successful.

Calls can be traced instantly, for example, and the caller's voice can be recorded.

Mobile phones can also be disconnected.

The service is also working with other partner organisations to raise awareness of the implications and consequences of making malicious calls to 999 among young people.