Charge for calling 999

Ok, just heard this on the news that a tayside police officer has called for a 50p charge for calling 999 to eliminate time-wasters.

What's your views?

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Reply 1

DeadGirlsDance

Original post by Megm217

Ok, just heard this on the news that a tayside police officer has called for a 50p charge for calling 999 to eliminate time-wasters.

What's your views?

Posted from TSR Mobile

You're screwed if you have no credit then.

Reply 2

R4INBOW

That will NEVER happen.

Reply 3

Megm217

Exactly I wonder if they would reverse the call :smile:

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 4

AgentSushi

Such a stupid idea that will never happen

Reply 5

warfarin

this just would defeat the purpose of an emergency call. And there are already ways to deter prank callers.

Reply 6

Delphinus

If you're stupid enough to make a hoax call you're probably stupid enough to waste 50p for it. Pointless.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 7

Polly1101

Original post by warfarin

this just would defeat the purpose of an emergency call. And there are already ways to deter prank callers.

How may I ask? I read that on new years day alone there were over 1700 inappropriate calls, with only 500 genuine calls, so clearly whatever it is isn't acting as a deterrent.

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Reply 8

warfarin

Original post by Polly1101

How may I ask? I read that on new years day alone there were over 1700 inappropriate calls, with only 500 genuine calls, so clearly whatever it is isn't acting as a deterrent.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Your number is recorded and you may be prosecuted if you abuse 999. I think they are quite lenient at the moment though and only take action against repeat offenders.

Reply 9

Sephiroth

I imagine most people who do this are using a public phone box, not a phone they own. I know those can be traced back but by the time the police come round the caller is gone.

Reply 10

ThatPerson

Original post by Megm217

Ok, just heard this on the news that a tayside police officer has called for a 50p charge for calling 999 to eliminate time-wasters.

What's your views?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Its stupid. It would result in people dying/suffering because they didn't have phone credit. Heavy penalties such as a few months in jail or a few hundred hours of community service would be harsh enough penalties to stop time-wasting calls I think.

Reply 11

thunder_chunky

Original post by Megm217

Ok, just heard this on the news that a tayside police officer has called for a 50p charge for calling 999 to eliminate time-wasters.

What's your views?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Obviously a moronic idea. What if a person is trying to call from a payphone in an emergency and doesn't have any change?

Reply 12

Double Agent

Im always amazing it is so hard to find even a minimum wage job when people coming up with ludicrous policy suggestions like this have so much influence and power and yet seem entirely moronic and incompetent. It will just never happen.

Reply 13

Psyk

If the charge is somehow applied afterwards, seems fine to me. But I don't see how it would work if you need the credit to make the call in the first place.

Reply 14

Y333EEE

Stupid idea if you ask me. What if your life or someone elses is in danger and you need to phone and Ambulance and you have no credit?

Reply 15

Nice.Guy

Why is everyone talking about credit? Wouldn't they just charge you afterwards, just like on a landline, or if you've got a mobile on contract??
I don't think it would work though, I think the cost of setting this up would outweigh the benefits, and in this day and age, cost counts for a lot...