Police have warned people not to make hoax 999 calls after a recent spike in one part of Tameside.
GMP believe children are behind the prank calls traced to Hyde town centre that have taken up vital resources.
“We are urging parents, carers and family members to educate their family members about hoax calling 999,” said PCSO Andy Mantell from the Tameside South Neighbourhood Team.
“Children need educating about the 999 system and what impact prank calls can have, which is why we are appealing to parents, carers and family members to help us raise awareness about the risks involved with hoax calling the emergency line.
“If your friend or family member needed to contact the police in an emergency, think how you would feel if they were unable to get assistance because the operator had been busy on a hoax call.”
Emergency service calls are always recorded and traceable back to the line that called, even if it is from a phone box or a withheld number.
Making hoax or malicious calls to an emergency number is a criminal offence, with those responsible facing the possibility of up to £5,000 in fines or, in extreme circumstances, six months in prison.
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