A six-year-old stickler for the rules dialled 911 to turn his father in to police for running a red light.

Officers in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA, have released audio of the call from young crimefighter Robbie Richardson via their Facebook page.

"Every day we answer numerous 911 calls," they wrote.

"Often times, these calls are from individuals who are in need of immediate assistance. Sometimes, it's a simple misdial. Then there's Robert's 9-1-1 call."

In the call, made on Saturday, Robbie tells police: "Daddy went past a red light... It was a black truck. It was in a brand new car, my mummy's car."

He told the operator that his father had been on the way to the car wash when he ran the traffic lights.

The operator then asks to speak to the boy's father, who laughed and apologised before confirming there was no emergency.

Speaking to NBC News, Robbie - who police said is six, but whose father said is five - said he had wanted police to give his father a ticket, explaining that he knew drivers should "go slow" at a yellow light, and "stop" at a red.

Mike Richardson said it had been a 'misunderstanding'. Credit: NBC News

But his father Mike insisted he had not broken any traffic laws, saying it was just a "misunderstanding".

On US roads, drivers are allowed to make a right turn even when lights are red, unless there is oncoming traffic or there is a dedicated 'no turning on right light' sign.

Mr Richardson said he was reassured that his son would be keeping an eye on him, adding: "I couldn't do anything else but laugh."