British 999 calls often not emergencies

EXETER, England, March 24 (UPI) -- Exeter, England, emergency officials are asking the public to stop using the 999 emergency system for non-emergency situations.

The West Country Ambulance Trust said it has received 999 calls from residents who had trouble changing TV channels and preparing cups of tea as well as people seeking to have their garbage picked up, The Daily Mail reported Monday.

"Half our calls are not emergencies. We have even had calls from people asking us to take their rubbish away," said Lynne Paramor, the public involvement manager for the service. "This often happens on bank holidays when they have nobody else to ring and so dial 999."

"It is scandalous because they are holding up a line and someone in a real emergency may not get through," Paramor told The Daily Mail.

"People need to think before they dial 999 if it is an emergency or if they would be better off calling a relative or friend or a GP (general practitioner) or a voluntary service," the official said.