HOAX callers targeting Essex Police have been given a fresh warning after a Dovercourt resident admitted making multiple fake 999 calls.

A man in his 50s pleaded guilty on September 1 to making numerous 999 calls, causing distress or anxiety, to Essex Police.

He was fined £200 at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 16.

Essex Police have issued a stark warning reminding residents that such calls could cause serious harm, or even death, if they prevent officers from learning of real emergencies.

Up to 400 hoax calls are made to the force control room every month.

Chief Inspector Glen Pavelin, head of the control room, said: “We take a zero-tolerance approach to hoax calls because they stop people who really need us from getting through.

“Our message is clear: it’s not clever, it’s not funny and it could well end up with you being arrested, fined and imprisoned.

“But we also want people to understand what is and isn’t a police matter.

“We take hundreds of calls every month on issues like noise nuisance or parking problems which can and should be resolv ed by local partners like councils.

“We will always try and help but especially at summer time our resources can be stretched.

“Knowing how to do things like report non-emergency crime online will give us more time to fight crime.”

Essex Police is running its More Time to Fight Crime campaign across the county to highlight the problem of hoax calls.

They include a man phoning 999 to complain about a rat in his house and someone else calling specifically to swear at police.

Non-emergencies should be reported by calling 101.