FOLLOWING the hoax calls that Copeland Police received during the night of Monday, July 12, Copleand Mayor Mike Starkie responded to the issue with disappointment.

Officers in Copeland ended up assigning three patrols to Cleator Moor after hoax calls of an emergency were made.

A Cumbria Police spokesperson said: "We were called on Monday, July 12, at 7.30pm on 999 from a phone box in Cleator Moor Market Place.

"Officers heard loud noises and then the call hung up

"This resulted in 3 patrols being assigned to the Cleator Moor area to establish if there was a genuine emergency.

"The three were spoken to.

"It was explained to them the potential consequences of such calls which draw away police resources from genuine emergencies."

In response, Mike Starkie said: "It is disappointing to learn from the Police that they have had their time and resources wasted by responding to a hoax call in Cleator Moor.

“To make a hoax call to the Police, or any emergency service, is incredibly irresponsible and could divert resources away from dealing with a genuine emergency situation.

“I support the officers’ actions in speaking to those responsible, and their parents, to make them fully aware that this behaviour is unacceptable.”

A spokesperson from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said: "Malicious false alarms take our firefighters away from front line work, protecting our communities and potentially saving lives.

"They can amount to a criminal offence and we support the prosecution of these incidents where appropriate.

"When the fire and rescue service attend false alarms or respond to hoax calls, it means we might not be available for a genuine emergency and potentially puts lives at risk.

"We really need people to assist us in reducing the number of false alarms and having alarms regularly maintained and not making hoax calls is the best way to help.

"Making hoax calls is a criminal offence and we work closely with the police to catch those responsible."