Police forced to dispel rumour that dialing 999 boosts phone batteries

Police have revealed that mobile phone users are dialing 999 in a bid to boost their phone’s battery. As the result of a rumour Derbyshire police have been forced to issue a statement appealing to people not to believe the myth.



Many of the calls which lead to people immediately disconnecting once they have dialed the emergency number have been recorded as being from the Derbyshire area. As a result, emergency personnel are spending precious time calling that person back to make sure they are okay and have then been told the reason for the call - much to their utter disbelief.

Officers have been forced to clarify that a phone battery can only be boosted by a charger and by no other means. The myth suggests that dialling 999 from a mobile and immediately disconnecting will charge the battery. Derbyshire police say this is ‘completely untrue’ and that this is putting lives in danger of people who desperately need help. A Derbyshire police spokesman said: “There is no way any mobile phone battery can be boosted by anything other than a normal charger.



“We have received several silent 999 calls recently which have turned out to be people who are trying to get more charge on their phone. Every time we get a silent or aborted 999 call we have to spend time ringing that person back to ensure they are safe. That takes up valuable time which could be spent dealing with a real emergency. We’re appealing to anyone who hears this myth to ignore it and not waste their time or the time of emergency service personnel.”