FIRE chiefs have hit out at a hoax 999 caller who made 10 emergency calls in less than an hour.

The calls were all made between 10.30am and 11.15am on Sunday.

Police are said to be investigating the calls, which were dealt with by Hampshire Fire and Rescue 999 operators.

Fire Control Station Manager Alli Burrows: “Hoax or inappropriate calls waste our time, cost the public money and, more worryingly, really do put lives at risk by taking call handlers’ time away from helping those with a genuine emergency.

"People calling in with false reports need to consider how they would feel if someone delayed firefighters getting to them or their loved ones and we urge them to make the right call and only dial 999 with a genuine emergency.

"We will continue to work with police to prosecute those who misuse our essential services.”

The Daily Echo contacted Hampshire Constabulary for further details about the investigation into the calls, but were unable to give any more information.