Nuisance 999 calls lead to ASBO

A man who made more than 30 nuisance phone calls to the police has been given a two-year Anti Social Behaviour Order.

Rochdale magistrates were told that Matthew Taylor, Rochdale dialled 999 more than 30 times between March and August this year.

He was said to be drunk and abusive during many of the conversations with reasons for the calls including a threat to assault his father, a request for police to pick up his toaster from his mother’s house and a threat to smash police vehicles.

The case against Mr Taylor was brought by Greater Manchester Police working in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council’s Community Safety team.

A statement submitted to court by Police said: “The number and nature of calls made by Taylor has resulted in a disproportionate amount of police time and resources being deployed to deal with him. He has been abusive to both call takers and officers attending his home address and has never called the police for a legitimate reason.”

Mr Taylor pleaded guilty to using a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another.

The ASBO bans him from making calls to Greater Manchester police, ambulance or fire services except in a genuine emergency. It will remain in force for two years and Mr Taylor faces a fine or prison sentence of up to five years if he breaks it.

Councillor Martin Burke, Cabinet Member for Internal and Environmental Services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Both the council and the police view improper use of the 999 system extremely seriously. Such incidents take up valuable police resources and could lead to someone with a genuine emergency having to wait longer than necessary for assistance.”