Wiltshire & Bath Air Ambulance shares frustration of hoax calls

Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance (WBAA) charity has told Greatest Hits Radio that dealing with hoax calls puts lives at risk.

The organisation was among the emergency services that responded to a report of a multiple stabbing on Station Road in Swindon on Monday.

However, the call turned out to be fraudulent. A 16 year old has been arrested on suspicion of improper use of an electronic communication system. He has been released under investigation.

Adam Baker from WBAA told us: "It's extremely frustrating because ultimately, we want to be there for people who are in need. And if we're tasked to instance that are clearly, then hoaxes.

"It means we may not be there for someone when there's a genuine emergency."

The incident came at a cost of around £3,000 for the charity, which is funding solely by voluntary donations from the public.

And with emergency services finances becoming ever more stretched, it's money that can ill afford to be wasted.

Adam said: "It wastes valuable funds for the charity, which have been donated by the public and they dig deep into their pockets to help fund their local air ambulance service. They don't want that money wasted."

Last year, the charity attended an average of four missions per day, as well as four fake calls - which was twice that of 2023.

Adam warned us that hoax calls can lead to a criminal record: "It can lead to up to six months in prison, a fine of £5,000, and other knock on things as well.

"Phone companies can disconnect people if you're found guilty of making hoax calls and owners of phones can be blacklisted, you may never get a mobile phone again in your life."

Adam insists they're still ready to help those most in need.

"We want to be there for the people who need us most. What we don't want to do is heading to hoax missions, to people that don't need us.

"If you're in need call the emergency services. But if you're not, then leave them to those who need the most."

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