The Abu Dhabi Police emergency hotline is being blocked by children making prank calls to amuse themselves.
These thoughtless and inconsiderate actions are endangering the lives of those who might find themselves in desperate need of assistance because of an accident or illness but are unable to call for help.
It is also causing emergency personnel, charged with saving lives, to waste their valuable time as they have to take every call seriously. Even as children cry wolf, the emergency centre is receiving calls from those in urgent need of aid.
The Abu Dhabi Police have called on parents to ensure that their children do not abuse the emergency number. They have made it clear that they will take action against the owners of the telephone lines from which prank calls are repeatedly made. This stern action is necessary as prank calls that endanger lives are not funny.
