Police forces across the UK are renewing calls for the public to exercise caution and judgment before dialling 999, as a significant surge in non-emergency calls places considerable strain on vital services. Devon and Cornwall Police, in particular, highlighted a concerning trend, reporting that emergency calls in June 2026 were 13% higher than during the same period last year. This increase comes as the region, a popular holiday destination, experiences heightened activity due to summer tourism.
The scale of the issue is stark: out of more than 31,000 calls made to the 999 line in Devon and Cornwall during June, only 3,473 ultimately led to an emergency deployment. This indicates that a substantial proportion of calls could have been directed to alternative non-emergency channels, freeing up critical resources for genuine urgent situations. Examples of inappropriate 999 calls include reports of a camera being moved without permission, a situation clearly not meeting the criteria for an immediate emergency.
Police officials attribute the sustained high demand, which has been evident since May, to a combination of factors including warmer weather, the occurrence of major sporting events, and an overall increase in tourism across the region. These elements collectively contribute to a busier environment, but also appear to be leading to a misunderstanding of when 999 should be used.
Staff Commander Lucy Baillie emphasised that while an individual's concern might feel incredibly urgent to them in the moment, it doesn't always necessitate a 999 response. She clarified that using the non-emergency 101 service does not diminish the importance of an issue, but rather helps police prioritise how quickly they need to attend. The 999 line is specifically for situations involving an immediate danger to life, or when a crime is actively in progress.
The force is encouraging individuals with non-urgent concerns to utilise the 101 non-emergency number, which offers a call-back service, or to report issues online. They also advised residents to consider whether certain concerns, such as noise complaints or environmental issues, might be more appropriately reported to other local organisations or agencies rather than the police.