A HAMPSHIRE MAN called 999 hoping to have a chef arrested because he was unhappy with his burger.

That’s just one of the bizarre emergency calls police in Hampshire have received to its control room.

The revelation was made in a new video, released as part of a campaign during International Control Room Week.

The video featured three call operators from Hampshire explaining their most ridiculous 999 calls taken.

 

One explained his call from a lady who wanted advice on how to stop a smoke alarm beeping.

A second operator described her call with a distressed lady asking for an officer to come and remove a bird from her home after it flew into her house.

While a third tells of the the burger complaint.

She said: "He was not happy with the quality of his burger in a restaurant and he wanted the police to go out and deal with the chef.

"We didn't obviously."

 

This year, Hampshire Constabulary, along with other emergency services, has faced an unprecedented amount of calls into 999.

Recent information shows that people often do not know when to call 999 and call the police when they should contact other organisations.

The campaign will feature a range of examples of calls via Hampshire Constabulary's social media channels, all leading back to one, clear message: only call 999 during an emergency.

Crimes that aren't currently in progress or have not just happened should be reported online or to 101.

Emergencies that are acceptable for a 999 call include:

  • There is a danger to life.
  • A crime that is happening now or has just happened.
  • You have immediate concerns for safety.
  • There is a dangerous incident on the motorway.
  • You have seen something suspicious that needs immediate attention.