The force has revealed that from June 2007 to July 2008 they received more than 400 hoax calls a month from various locations around the force area.

What could seem a harmless joke could result in a serious criminal conviction or endanger someone's life.

By dialling 999 for non emergency matters you could slow down the response to genuine emergencies.

The maximum penalty for hoax calls offences is imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of £5,000.

All calls are recorded and can be used as evidence. Police have the power to disconnect mobiles from which hoax calls are made.

Listen to some of the inappropriate 999 calls we receive