Listen to the hoax caller who is putting lives at risk

MEMBERS of the community are being urged to listen to a hoax caller who is putting lives at risk after at least seven hoax calls were made from one phone box .

The hoax calls, which members of the public can listen to on the fire service website, have been made from a telephone box on Linnet Close/Grasmere Avenue, Warrington since 14th June.

One of these calls resulted in fire engines, police and ambulance being mobilised to what was claimed to be a serious house fire with people trapped inside on Grasmere Avenue.

The calls report different types of incidents – fires in the open on Radley Common, wheelie bin fires, grass fires and the Grasmere Avenue house fire.

Group Manager for Warrington and Halton, Lynsey McVey, said: “The person who makes these calls is persistent, and what they are doing is incredibly dangerous and also illegal. They are willing to put the community, firefighters, police and ambulance staff at risk by asking them to respond to emergencies that do not exist.

“They need to understand that what they are doing is wrong and that we will not tolerate this sort of crime. We will always pursue incidents like this alongside our colleagues in the police.”

All calls to fire and rescue services are recorded. Anyone caught making a hoax call could face criminal charges and even a prison sentence. If such calls are made from a mobile phone, that phone number can be permanently disconnected from the network.

Chief Inspector Peter Shaw of Warrington LPU said: “Hoax calls have a detrimental impact on the emergency services. They delay our response to those who genuinely need our help, which could result in loss of life.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated and we are working with our colleagues at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to catch those who are responsible.”

The calls can be heard on the Service website, http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/news-events/webcasts/hoax-calls, and if anyone recognises the voice or has any information about these, or any other, hoax calls please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Cheshire Police on 101.