Police 999 calls made over cold food and furniture

A police force experiencing unprecedented levels of demand has urged people to only call 999 in genuine emergencies.

Gloucestershire Constabulary said it had received more than 11,000 999 calls this month, which is a 16% increase on July 2025.

Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson said the hot weather has driven up demand, with the force receiving 268 calls about broken-down vehicles in July. Officers have also been called about cold food in restaurants and requests to move furniture.

Meanwhile, the county's fire service said it took the same amount of calls in the first three weeks of July as it did in the first three months of the year.

Gloucestershire Constabulary said its control room received more than 25,000 calls this month, which is an 11% overall increase and averages more than 800 calls a day.

Mathieson said the heat had led to an increase in 999 calls pertaining to broken down vehicles.

He said: "We've had significantly more calls – 268 calls just in July – which is about three times more than we'd normally get about broken down vehicles, despite there being lots of good advice from the RAC and others around the caution that people should take when driving their vehicle in hot weather."

The plea comes after South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said it received a record number of 3,941 calls on 24 June, on a particularly hot day.

Mathieson added the force has also received calls from people asking for help removing injured birds and small mammals from their gardens.

"We've had some calls where people want assistance in moving large items such as furniture, complaints about poor services, such as cold food at a restaurant," he said.

"Sometimes we even get the call requesting a lift home following a personal appointment."

Gloucestershire Constabulary said 999 should only be called in a genuine emergency, such as an immediate threat to life or if a crime is in progress.

"It is vital that we keep police services available for those who need us most, so we're asking people to ensure they are using the right contact methods to speak to us," Mathieson added.

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