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Do not ring 999 if you need a lift home because you have run out of money.  The message is clear: You wouldn’t ring a clothes shop if you needed a plumber so please do not ring 999 if all you need is a lift home.

By ringing 999 you are wasting a vital call taker’s time and this could put people’s lives at risk.

999 is for serious or life threatening emergencies only.

Here is what you could do in these kinds of situations and also how to prevent them:

  • Ring one of your friends or a member of your family and ask them to come to pick you up
  • If the above options are not feasible, get a taxi and then pay the driver at the other end. You do not have to pay a cab driver in advance and so it’s okay to call a licensed taxi firm (you can google the nearest one if do not have one saved on your phone)
  • If you do not have any credit on your phone and are in or in the proximity of a public space (e.g. pub, restaurant, bar, nightclub etc.), ask them if you can use their phone. Alternatively, ask someone you can trust if you can borrow their phone.

Next time, make sure you:

  • let someone know where you are going and what time you will be home
  • know how you are getting home at the end of the night
  • remain with your friends at all times
  • have a designated drinks watcher in your group
  • eat before you go out as this can help stop you getting too drunk
  • drink water between alcoholic drinks
  • don’t leave your drink unattended as it might get spiked
  • never accept a drink from someone you do not trust
  • have some money left for a taxi home
  • your phone is fully charged and have credit
  • always keep the telephone number of a licensed taxi firm with you
  • never take an unlicensed cab or a lift from a stranger
  • do not get into a car with a driver who’s been drinking
  • never walk home alone