Name the hoaxers

7:04am Thursday 11th October 2007

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THE people of York and North Yorkshire are being asked to help name and shame even more malicious hoax callers.

Fire brigade bosses have released recordings of more bogus 999 calls to be played on The Press's website, and are asking for readers and viewers to help identify the culprits.

The first is from a male caller, who reports having seen smoke coming from a house at Brecksfield, in Skelton, but when firefighters attended they found nothing wrong. That call was made on July 23, at about 4.20pm.

The second, made at 2.30pm on August 9, involves a female caller reporting a house on fire in Etty Avenue, Tang Hall, York. She is warned by the 999 operator that if her call is fake, then fire services will be tied up. She replied: "I wouldn't do that" but once again, the call turned out to be a hoax. Both calls will be available to download on www.yorkpress.co.uk today, and anyone who can identify either caller should phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247.

The Press launched its Shop The Hoaxers initiative last month in an attempt to catch those putting innocent lives at risk through their ill-advised pranks.

None of the callers on our website has yet been identified, but the campaign has been welcomed by firefighters and councillors, as well as visitors to our website.

City of York councillor Ken King said: "If a fire engine is out dealing with a hoax call, it could be prevented from going to a serious call, and I would support the campaign that The Press has come up with. I give my 100 per cent support.

"It's a fantastic initiative and I think anyone who knows any other person making hoax calls needs to report it straight away."

Graham Buckle, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service's group manager for York, said: "If the people who made these calls had something happen to their family, and we could not go, it would change their tune very quickly."

Hoax call: Brecksfield, Skelton>>

Hoax call: Etty Avenue, Tang Hall>>