Gloucestershire Police urge public to limit 999 calls amid surge in demand
UKPulse News Desk
Gloucestershire Constabulary has urged the public to only call 999 in genuine emergencies after experiencing a significant increase in calls this month.
- Gloucestershire Constabulary received over 11,000 999 calls in July, a 16% increase from July 2025.
- The force's control room handled more than 25,000 calls overall this month, an 11% increase.
- Calls have included requests for help with cold food, injured birds, and broken-down vehicles.
Gloucestershire Constabulary is urging the public to only call 999 in genuine emergencies after experiencing what it described as unprecedented levels of demand. The force reported receiving more than 11,000 calls to 999 this month, marking a 16% increase compared to July 2025.
Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson stated that hot weather has contributed to the rise in demand, with 268 calls concerning broken-down vehicles in July. Officers have also received calls about issues such as cold food in restaurants and injured birds.
The force's control room handled over 25,000 calls in total this month, an 11% overall increase, averaging more than 800 calls daily. Gloucestershire Constabulary emphasised that 999 should only be used for immediate threats to life or crimes in progress, to ensure services are available for those most in need.
Why this matters: The increase in non-emergency calls to 999 could strain police resources, potentially delaying responses to genuine emergencies and critical incidents.
What this means for you: If you are in Gloucestershire, you are asked to ensure you use the correct contact methods for non-emergencies to help keep police services available for those who need them most.