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Hoax callers are the 'lowest of the low'
Emilene White7/ 3/2007
"DISGRACEFUL" - that's how Tameside Council's fire service representative describes the people who make hoax calls.
Councillor Jack Davies, vice-chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, says that although the service is fighting this sick practice it remains a problem.
"The staff at the fire authority are trained to ask the right questions when someone rings 999 and they have cut out a lot of hoax calls with that," says the Ashton councillor.
"But it is a problem. The idiots who are doing it must realise what they are doing and it's symptomatic, I'm afraid, of what society is today."
Shockingly, he says firefighters do not only have to contend with hoax calls and personal attacks from thugs.
"Sometimes they (arsonists) set fire to an abandoned building and set traps for the firemen, things like razorblades stuck in the banisters."
Councillor Davies said he "didn't have any words that could be printed" to describe hoax callers. "They are the lowest of the low. Firemen are ours, they're our heroes. Their job is to save lives.
"Would these people attack firemen if it was their mother or father who needed saving? I don't think so. It really is disgraceful."
Making a hoax call is a criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months in jail.
Click on the links below to hear hoax callers wasting valuable fire service time, including a new hoax call made on Wednesday 7 March at 6.50pm from Cockbrook, Stalybridge.
If you have any information about the people making the call, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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13/03/2007 at 06:54