The announcement came during the launch of an awareness campaign titled “Do not put their lives on hold.”

Hamza M Sengendo, Staff Reporter

70 percent of 5, 351, 009 calls made to the emergency number 999 last year concerned non-emergency and non-serious matters, police revealed on Tuesday.

The announcement came during the launch of an awareness campaign titled “Do not put their lives on hold,” aimed at saving the lives of those at risk and beefing up the culture of calling 901 for non-emergency cases.

Every second and minute plays a big role in the survival of a person whose life is in desperate need of a number allocated for emergency cases. Dubai Police urge the community to keep 999 for emergency cases only. The General Department of Operations and Department of Security Awareness launched the year-long campaign to sensitize the community members to using Toll Free 901 for non-emergency cases, inquiries and services.

The General Department of Operations’ Director General, Major General Engineer Kamel Butti Al Suwaidi said the launch came under directives of the Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri.

“It comes within the framework of our keenness to protect lives and property and enhance the security, safety and happiness of the community members. It supports the strategic goal of rapid response to emergencies.

“The aim is to make the public aware of the optimal use of 901, to reduce pressure on the number 999. The call center of 901 is manned by qualified police officers who provide 32 services to community members. There was an increase in the volume of calls to 999,” he said, “70 per cent of them were non-emergency and non-serious. The percentage is high compared to global rates. In the US for example, it is 20-40 per cent.

“Time is of paramount importance in rapid access by police patrols and ambulances to any emergency. Emergency service on 999 is one of the most important services of protecting lives and enhancing the sense of security.”

The 32 services on 901 include criminal and traffic inquiries, obtaining police certificates, submitting lost and found items, home security programme, requests to visit inmates, general complaints and giving suggestions.

Al Suwaidi earlier said one who calls 999 and asks about non-serious issues gives cops a hard time. By the time a cop tries to respond to someone inquiring a general matter, 15 to 20 emergency callers find the number busy.