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Police warn Mills over number of 999 calls

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Published Date: 16 March 2007
By TOM PUGH
HEATHER Mills was criticised by a police force yesterday over her "disproportionate" number of emergency calls.
A senior officer said they had dealt with four emergency calls from Sir Paul McCartney's estranged wife in a 24-hour period, but inquiries found no grounds for further action.

Chief Superintendent Kevin Moore warned there was a danger of further
complaints not being taken seriously.

It has been reported that Mills, 38, has complained of being followed by photographers near her home in Hove, East Sussex.

Mr Moore, of the local force, said: "We are having to spend a disproportionate amount of time on one particular person.

"We are duty-bound to respond, but clearly people who make lots of calls to the police run the risk of being treated as the little boy who cried wolf."

"Officers who have attended previously to find there have been no grounds might not take any claims seriously, and that's the danger we face."

Last month, it emerged Mills had been in talks with Sussex Police after receiving death threats.

Her spokesman, Phil Hall, said

yesterday: "She is a single mum who has been very nervous about all the things that have happened. She has been followed late at night by people she does not know.

"The danger is that she will not call police in future and something serious will happen. What is she supposed to do?"

Meanwhile, Mills broke her silence on her split from Sir Paul, saying: "I'll always love him."

The pair are battling through the courts over a financial settlement and custody of their daughter, Beatrice, three.



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  • Last Updated: 15 March 2007 10:52 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Sir Paul McCartney
 
1

J.K.,

16/03/2007 03:13:06

The boy who cried "wolf" springs to mind.

2

somerferg,

Oz 16/03/2007 04:31:32

Unless you are privy to the goings on in this woman's life you should keep you opinions of her to yourself. She may be well off but I presume she pays tax and contributes towards the cost of the 999 service which she has used. If ever there was a case of a press hackett job then Ms Mills is a perfect example.

3

sam the god,

16/03/2007 08:50:58

#3
it is still an offence to make the calls for no real reason ie none was found she should be charged no matter who she is

4

,

16/03/2007 09:22:49
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
5

musicismylife,

16/03/2007 09:31:28

Charge her for wasting police time. And it's indefensible, because she hasn't got a leg to stand on.

6

Stickman,

16/03/2007 09:44:04

As someone who was brought up to believe that the emergency services were there for absolute emergencies (I have dialled 999 once in my life and most people I know never have at all), I think she should be charged with abusing it if on every occasion it has been determined that the call was unneccessary. That applies not just to Heather Mills, but to everyone who abuses the service in this way. It's supposed to be there to protect lives. Yes, she's entitled to use the service if she pays her taxes, but that does not entitle her to ABUSE it!

7

Andrew,

16/03/2007 09:46:21

Surely SHE can afford some security guards!!

8

Chris, Edinburgh,

16/03/2007 09:59:21

#5 - because the great British public are apparently obsessed with 'celebrities'.

9

I'm Spartacus,

edinburgh 16/03/2007 10:37:13

So J.K. the story of the boy who cried wolf sprung to mind? Would that have anything to do with the fact that it is mentioned in the article?

10

Sue 2,

16/03/2007 11:48:09

I agree she should face charges of time wasting,or abuse of emergency services, or whatever the offence would be. Too may people think the 999 service is for any kind of police assistance. How would she feel if it took four hours for the police to get to her in a genuine emergency just because someone else was misusing the service and the resources weren't there when she needed it? I think they should crack down on the time wasters.

Why do some people such as #6 think they are being funny with their cheap jokes about her disability? I'm sure you wouldn't think it quite so funny if you had to cope with it. Do you poke fun at your disabled neighbours too? Time people like you grew up!

11

musicismylife,

16/03/2007 12:13:27

#12. Actually I do live with a disability and I am all grown up. You think Ms Mills hasn't heard it all and jokes about her disability too? I know she has and she gives as good she gets. When you have a physical disability, you learn through time to grow a very thick carapace over your skin. My physical disability is a knockabout humour in this house and I laugh at it too, cos if I didn't, I'd be a miserable git ..... Time you got a sense of humour, Sooty!

12

Sue 2,

16/03/2007 12:29:42

#13. I think your response says it all really. You think that just because she's heard it before that makes it funny?

My sister has been in a wheel chair for fifteen years, and she has to endure funny looks and comments. There are times where we have to laugh about aspects of her disability because if we didn't we'd cry. Unlike you, I don't think that gives us the right to laugh at other people's disabilities, even if she (or we) deal with our own situation by adding humour to it. You appear to think that your personal experience of disability allows you to target other people with disabilities and make jokes at their expense. I don't feel that way personally. I reckon we'll just have to disagree on that one. You carry on with your disability jokes if you're comfortable with doing that.

"Time you got a sense of humour, Sooty!". Oh yes, how grown up you sound... not! Of course I have a sense of humour. It just doesn't revolve around poking fun at amputees and calling people names, strangely enough.

Back to the point in the article though... If there was a fine made to any individual who calls the emergency services out under false pretences, it might make people think twice about whether they call the police station, or if the matter is serious enough for a 999 call.

13

Walkerman,

16/03/2007 12:32:50

Throw the book at her, along with all the other time wasters. Our emergency services aren't there to deal with spoiled so called celebrities (unless it IS an emergency).

Lay off the school playground jokes about her leg though. It's a bit offensive to some.

14

Swilly Tisher,

Loch Maree 16/03/2007 12:42:29

Walkerman(#15) , you've hit the nail on the head. Charge her with time-wasting.And, while we're on the subject, I'm worried if she takes Sir Paul's millions he won't have enough left for hairdye. Does he not realise how ridiculous he looks - Bryan Ferry too.

15

TimW1234,

Ottawa, Canada 16/03/2007 12:46:21

Will this disgraceful, shrill harridan ever NOT be in the papers? Every word she utters and every action she commits further diminishes her credibility and her reputation.

Pride goes before a fall and a haughty before destruction ( or words to that effect). There is a Greek notion of "hubris" and Heather (I WILL NOT call her "Lady McCartney", the cow) and this female is a prime candidate for divine retribution.

16

unbiased,

On my high horse 16/03/2007 12:49:26

Why doesn't she just dial the number of her local police station - not exactly an emergency because there is someone behind her she doesn't know. I could do that every day I walk down the local high street. 999 is for a REAL emergency and a REAL emergency only, no matter who you are. I also have managed to live nearly 60 years and have NEVER felt it necessary to dial 999. I would do, however, if I required an ambulance or police at the scene of an accident or such like, where there was a life-threatening situation.

17

Annawa,

16/03/2007 12:59:38

In this day and age where everybody wants everything and they want it now, it seems like many people have lost sight of what the 999 service is for, or younger people may not really know when to call which number. Maybe something about it should be incorporated into the PSE or citizenship classes that young people already receive in schools. Just a talk through about when it's appropriate to call 999, and when it's appropriate to call the local cop shop. It might help to cut down on hoax calls and unneccessary calls in future. Just a thought...

18

Choosername,

16/03/2007 14:52:09

Will the police be asking her or Sir Macca to foot the bill? Sorry, limp joke I know.

19

yolanda,

16/03/2007 15:08:29

#19, I agree that some people just don't differentiate between a 999 call and the normal service (which seems to be an annoying call centre nowhere near my home now for some reason, instead of the police station a mile away). Perhaps it would be a good idea to remind people that it's not to be used for non-emergencies. I suspect though that Heather Mills is probably well aware of the difference, but for some reason she just expects the police to rush to her beck and call.

20

J.K.,

16/03/2007 18:48:49

#10 - not at all - i was able to comment on the story just by absorbing the headline and first 2 lines.

21

I'm Spartacus,

Edinburgh 17/03/2007 11:40:28

So, J.K. you like to comment on newspaper articles but cannot be bothered to actually read the articles? And what is worse you seem proud of the fact.


 

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