Police have urged people not to report fire-related concerns on 101 or 999 after receiving a high number of calls following a Government emergency alert.
Gloucestershire Constabulary said its Force Control Room received numerous calls on Friday evening (14 August) after the warning was issued amid heightened fire risks.
The emergency alert warned people against lighting anything which could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires and fireworks.
Police said subsequent calls included reports of people using barbecues in parks and having bonfires at private properties.
Gloucestershire Constabulary is asking people not to report such matters to police and instead contact the fire and rescue service when there is an urgent fire-related issue.
A force spokesperson said: “Whilst we appreciate being made aware of things we’re asking people to not flag these issues to police and instead report any urgent fire related matters to the Fire and Rescue Service as they will be able to contact our officers if we’re needed.
“You can report a fire that needs attending to by calling and asking to speak to a member of the Fire and Rescue Service’s control room instead of the police service.”
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to call 999 only when there is a genuine emergency or an immediate risk to life, property or the environment.
People should not call 999 where there is no fire, immediate danger or threat to life.
However, a statement issued by the UK Government in relation to the alert states: “The alert, that will be sent on a rolling basis from approximately 19:00, will warn people not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks.
“Recipients will also be urged to report any fire immediately by calling 999.”
