Boy, 16, arrested after hoax call results in large emergency response

We have arrested a 16-year-old following a hoax call that resulted in a large emergency response.

Last night, we received a call reporting that someone had been stabbed in Station Road, Swindon.

This was treated as a priority incident and a significant police and ambulance response – including a critical care team of two air ambulances and a doctor – were mobilised.

Thankfully, the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust were able to stand down the critical care team before they arrived on scene.

Two double-crewed land ambulances and an operations officer still attended, with the view that someone was in a medical emergency and needed urgent help.

Further enquiries then established that the call was possibly a hoax, and officers attended the home address of the person who reported the stabbing.

Here, we arrested a 16-year-old on suspicion of improper use of an electronic communication system. He has been released under investigation.

Chief Superintendent Douglas Downing, head of local policing in Wiltshire, said: "This individual's actions were incredibly reckless at best.

"In order to provide a swift response to the public, our operators have to make assumptions that such calls for service are legitimate." 

"However, a single hoax call of this nature can have an enormous impact on the emergency services. It prevents our officers and other emergency services from helping those that need it most."

Wayne Darch, deputy director of operations at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The ambulance service and the wider NHS is currently under extreme pressure. Responding to hoax calls takes valuable time and resources away from those most in need – where a life could be at risk.

"To ensure we can be there for those who need us most in a medical emergency, it’s vital we keep our crews available for patients with life-threatening conditions. Please use our services, and those of our blue light colleagues, responsibly.”

Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity deputy director of communications Adam Baker said: “Making a hoax call to the emergency services is a criminal offence as it can cost lives.

"Every hoax call we attend takes resources away from genuine emergencies, can delay us in reaching patients with life-threatening injuries or illness, and also wastes valuable funds for the Charity which have been donated by the public.”