NORTH Wales Police have reminded residents only to dial 999 in a “genuine emergency” after receiving a number of unnecessary calls.

Last week, the force shared a call involving a man in Gwynedd, asking if police could help him get home after missing the last bus.

He said he did not want to wake his mum, who was working the next day.

North Wales Police said: “Unfortunately calls like this are a frequent occurrence in our Control Room.

“Despite common belief, the police are not a taxi service and needing a lift home is not a reasonable excuse to dial 999.

“This call lasted for 56 seconds; those seconds could mean the difference between life or death for someone in a genuine emergency.

“Calls like these delay our operators from answering those calls and dispatching an officer where they’re really needed.

“Please, think before you call. Don’t abuse the 999 line.”

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Another such call saw a woman asking if North Wales Police could send officers to her house to help get her money back after being "ripped off" on Facebook Marketplace.

The force added: “Sales on Facebook can sometimes go wrong.

“Whilst this caller does have a genuine reason to contact the police, this is not a life-or-death situation.

“There are other ways you can contact us for non-emergency matters: 101 or online.”