Someone called 999 to tell police they were concerned about a duck being ‘too cold’. (Picture: Getty Images)

Someone called 999 to tell police they were concerned about a duck being ‘too cold’.

The animal lover called Hertfordshire police at 3.28am this morning after spotting the duck in a car park in Watford.

He told them that he was concerned about the bird’s welfare because of the cold weather, but was advised to contact the RSPCA instead.

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Though he was praised for being concerned about the duck, police called the man a ‘time-waster’ and urged people to only call 999 in an emergency.


Superintendent Mike Trotman, from the Constabulary’s Force Control Room (FCR), said: ‘This is an example of the emergency 999 number being used forcompletely the wrong reason.



‘While it is admirable that the man was concerned for the duck, by calling 999 he could have delayed getting help to those truly in need of assistance and facing an emergency situation.

‘Our call handlers are always busy dealing with both emergency 999 and non-emergency 101 calls, as well as online reports and contact from the public via our webchat facility so it is really important that people only contact us for the right reasons.

Police called the man a ‘time-waster’ (Picture: Getty)

‘Please think before you pick up the phone and dial 999.

‘When there is no immediate threat to life or property please make use of our online options, which include a web chat facility to speak directly to a communications operator, or call 101.’

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Police issued a similar warning back in December, when Supt Trotman blasted residents for calling 999 for ‘inappropriate’ reasons, such as asking what was the best road to travel on.

He said at the time: ‘When severe weather hits there is obviously additional pressures on the emergency services so it is important to ensure that you use the emergency 999 number and 101 non-emergency number responsibly.

‘When snow came our way in December last year, we received more than 600 extra 999 calls in one day and a significant amount were not in relation to

emergency incidents. Some people were calling to ask our extremely busy call handlers for advice on the best travel routes.

‘Using 999 or 101 for something that is not a policing matter ties up our call handlers and may delay getting help to those who are in real need of

police assistance.

‘There are other agencies and organisations that you should go to for travel advice such as Highways England and you can follow Hertfordshire County Council’s highways Twitter account @herts-highways for the latest information on gritting and travel disruption.

‘I’m sure you’re aware that when severe weather hits we see an increase in calls for assistance so it’s even more important that people do not call us for matters that should not involve the police.

‘Never call 999 if it’s not a genuine emergency.’

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