GWENT Police is urging the public to only call 999 in a genuine emergency after receiving calls for issues including leaving a handbag on a bus and waiting too long on the phone to the DVLA.

The force has launched the Make the Right Choice campaign, aiming to help people better understand when they should contact the police, and who matters such as stray dogs, fly tipping or parking problems should be reported to.

Superintendent Matt Williams, in charge of the first point of contact service, said: "We are urging members of our community to please make the right choice when contacting us. Before you get in contact, think - do you need the police or another agency?

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"We have been experienced a high-volume of calls to both our 999 and 101 service. I have no doubt the recent hot weather and the ongoing health pandemic have played a part in the increase in calls.

"People have been misusing the 999 service which could be a matter of life or death for someone in our community. By working with us and making the right choice, you’re helping our call handlers get to those most in need of our help.

"Our 999-emergency contact line is here to help people in life-threatening situations or when a crime is in progress. There are many ways you can contact us with non-emergency queries including on our 101 non-emergency line, our online reporting tool on our website and through direct messages on social media via Facebook and Twitter."

Last month, 7,488 emergency calls and 25,481 non-emergency calls were received by the force control room.

This equates to a 21 per cent increase in emergency calls and a 21 per cent increase in non-emergency calls based on last year.

From January 2021 to May 2021, they received more than 29,000 emergency calls and 122,000 non- emergency calls.

Of the 151,000 calls received from January to May, 36 per cent did not require a police response.

Many people are dialling 999 to report issues that do not warrant an emergency and police said they need to keep the emergency line available to respond to members of our community who need their help urgently.

Recent examples of people misusing 999:

  • "I have left my handbag on the bus."
  • "Our neighbours’ dog is in our back garden, but she’s in work so we don’t know what to do."

Recent example of a misuse of 101:

  • "I can’t get through to the DVLA as wait times are long. Do you have any other numbers for them?"

Always dial 999 in an emergency:

  • If there is danger to life or property
  • Reporting a crime that is in progress
  • A suspect is nearby
  • Violence is being used or threatened
  • Non-emergency reporting on 101/online and via social media:
  • Crimes that have already happened
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • An incident which doesn’t pose an immediate harm/risk
  • Incidents that don’t require an emergency response

When to contact your local authority:

  • Stray dogs
  • Noise complaints
  • Parking issues
  • Fly-tipping