Police have released a recording of a 999 call to their control room after a young man dialled and asked if they could arrange him a lift home. Th mean had missed the last bus home, didn’t have any money and didn’t want to wake his mum.
North Wales Police (NWP) released the call to remind people that 999 calls should only be made in genuine emergencies. A spokesperson said: “Another call for North Wales Police Taxi Service… While missing your bus may be frustrating, it’s certainly not a life-or-death emergency. Please help to #ReduceDemand.”
In the call, the polite youngster describes how he is stranded in Bangor and needed help to get home. An police operator tried to help him help himself, reports NorthWalesLive.
Caller: “Err, I’m stuck at Bangor train station, yeah. The last bus just went flying past me, so I don’t know what to do.”
Operator: “Right, OK, have you got any friends or family that you can contact?”
Caller: “Er, my mum’s got work in the morning, so I think she’s asleep, and my stepdad doesn’t drive.”
Operator: “Okay, so can you call a taxi?”
Caller: “Err, got no money."
Operator: “Right, so how were you getting the train or the bus?”
Caller: “Erm, I was basically waiting for my bus, yeah, and I put my thumb out for the last bus and he just went past."
Operator: “Right, okay, well, I mean, unfortunately we can’t act as a taxi service for you. Um, did you say your mum’s got work in the morning?”
Caller: “Yeah.”
Operator: “Yeah? Unfortunately, if that’s the only thing you can do, you’re going to have to ring your mum. I’m sure she’d understand, she wouldn’t want you to be stranded in Bangor. It’s not a reason to call 999.”
Caller: “Oh, is it not?”
Operator: “We can’t act as a taxi service for you if you’ve missed your bus. You’re going to have to speak with family and friends to arrange an alternative way to get home. Okay?
Caller: “Yeah, okay. Thank you.”
Operator: “Yes, okay, you’ll have to give some friends and family a call to see what you can arrange or if you can maybe speak with a taxi service, see if you can pay them once you get to your address, erm, if you’ve got means of paying once you get home. But unfortunately this isn’t something the police can help with, okay?
Caller: “ Yeah, okay, thank you.”
Operator: “Thank you, bye...”
A North Wales Police spokesman said: "Our 999 line is there for genuine life-or-death emergencies. Every second spent on calls such as these delays our operators from answering a genuine call for help and getting an officer to someone who desperately needs them."
