Department: H.K. POLICE 
Serial No.: GIS200802100100 
Proper use of 999 hotline urged 
******************************* 
    Police today (February 10) appealed to members of the public to use the 999 hotline service for emergencies only.

    In 2007, the Police Regional Command and Control Centres received 2 239 457 calls, of which only 946 005 or 42% were genuine calls while 1 293 452 calls or 58% were nuisance or misdialled calls.  

    A Police spokesman said that misuse of the emergency hotline would unnecessarily engage operators of the control centres and delay the handling of genuine emergencies. 

    "It could also endanger the lives of people at risk by postponing their access to the service," he added. 

    The spokesman said that Police stations in various districts could also promptly handle most crime reports and requests of a non-emergency nature.

    Police contact cards containing the telephone and fax numbers of all Police stations as well as Police hotlines are available for collection at various Police stations and Public Enquiry Service Centres of Home Affairs Department.

Police Report No. 3
Ends/Sunday, February 10, 2008
Issued at HKT 10:28