Man arrested after 'repeatedly calling 999 and burping down line'

'Regardless of how many fizzy drinks you've had, this is not an appropriate use of our 999 line,' says force

Police warned prank calls stopped call handlers dealing with genuine emergencies (PA Wire/PA Images)

A man is to appear in court accused of repeatedly ringing police on 999 and burping down the line.

Rhys Pilott, 28, was arrested after a person called Cambridgeshire Police and belched over the phone to emergency call handlers 22 times in a week.

The force released a recording of three of the calls last week and received 19 more before the arrest was made.

“This may make you laugh, but for us this is no laughing matter,” police wrote. “Regardless of how many fizzy drinks you’ve had, this is not an appropriate use of our 999 line.”

Police warned prank 999 calls meant officers prevented call handlers from dealing with genuine emergencies.

Mr Pilott, of Peterborough, was arrested at the city’s rail station on Tuesday and later charged with causing a public nuisance.

He was released on bail and will appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on 17 October.