HOAX callers have been warned that they are putting lives at risk by wasting police time.

The West Mercia force saw a huge increase in false calls from south Worcestershire during last week's half-term holidays.

They say the number of calls soared by 50% to 128 while the children were on holiday from February 17 to 25. The Evesham area was the source of 23 calls, with 28 coming from Malvern, 15 from Droitwich and the rest from Worcester.

The increase has worried police and Chief Inspector Martin Lakeman said: "More often than not it is a small child on the line who has probably dialled the number by mistake and a word with the usually embarrassed parent is all that is required.

"Sometimes though the callers are older and think it is a joke. While people should not be deterred from dialling 999 in a genuine emergency, such as a critical or life-threatening situation, hoax callers should consider that what seems a prank at the time could put lives at risk.

"Every treble nine received by the police is treated seriously and only downgraded if we are confident that someone is not in genuine trouble.

Clearly this takes time, which could delay a genuine emergency call from being answered and ultimately that could mean the difference between life and death."

He added that at the moment the force bettered the government target for answering 999 calls in south Worcestershire, but said that school holidays did increase the pressure on staff.