A man has been cautioned after calling the police to tell them there was a firearm incident in Bakersfield, which caused widespread disruption to residents.
A large police presence attended a report of a firearm at an address on Parkdale Road in Nottingham on 30 July 2020 and the road had to be closed whilst officers investigated.
Police Constable Kerry Sansom led the investigation. She said: “Officers investigating the incident now believe the report was a hoax call, which is concerning for the police and wasted a lot of police officers time.
“The person that made the call was located and arrested for malicious communications and wasting police time on 16 October 2020.
“A man admitted the offence has since been given a formal police caution in custody.
“This is a very serious offence. This crime involved occupants of a house being evacuated by firearm officers, with the street being filled with firearm officers in a quiet community.
“The police are stretched and calls like this can waste vital officers time, so it’s vital these reports are investigated thoroughly.”
Chief Inspector James Woolley from Nottinghamshire Police said: “Every hoax or inappropriate call to the emergency services has the potential to delay them from responding to genuine emergencies and put someone else’s life in danger.
“If emergency services attend a hoax call, it means they are not available when someone really needs their help. It could be a matter of life or death. Hoax calls can be traced and callers run the risk of a heavy fine and even a prison sentence.
“All we ask is that people only call 999 in genuine emergencies and remember that there are other ways to contact us for less urgent enquiries, with the Nottinghamshire Police website offering advice on hundreds of policing and non-policing issues and the 101 non-emergency number also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
