Proper use of 999 hotline urged
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Police today (July 27) appealed to members of the public to use the 999 hotline service for emergencies only.

In the first half of this year, the Police Regional Command and Control Centres received 1 115 762 calls, of which only 485 073 or 43% were genuine calls while
630 689 calls or 57% 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. 2
Ends/Sunday, July 27, 2008