2004-01-30 19:00 Police yesterday (January 29) arrested a 49-year-old man suspected to be connected with 16 hoax reports made to Police via 999 for wasteful employment of Police. Police received a number of hoax reports from April 2003 to January 2004 in which the informant alleged that assault, fighting and vehicle obstruction occurred at various locations in Kowloon City. However, Police officers who sped to the scene found that no such case could be traced. Initial investigations revealed that these reports were made to the 999 console through a mobile phone and a 49-year-old man was subsequently identified. The man was arrested in Kowloon City yesterday for wasteful employment of Police. A Police spokesman warned that hoax reports will not only result in a waste of Police manpower, but may also put people who genuinely need Police help in a dangerous position. He added that under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, making a hoax report causing wasteful employment of Police would be subject to a maximum fine of $2,000 and six months' imprisonment. Investigation by the Regional Crime Unit, Kowloon West are proceeding. |