A WOMAN phoned 999 because her takeaway order was wrong.

The call was one of several considered inappropriate by Cleveland Police, who are reminding people in the run up to Christmas to use the 999 system appropriately.

In other examples, a man called the police at 4.30am to ask for the results of a Middlesbrough football match.

Another asked how to send a fax whilst one person requested that the police type up a CV for someone looking for a job.

Police are warning those that make malicious or hoax calls to the emergency services that action will be taken against them as lives can be put at risk by tying up phone lines and delaying genuine callers getting through.

The 999 system should only be used where there is risk of injury or serious damage to property, if you suspect a crime is in progress or if you are reporting a serious incident which needs immediate police attendance.

The non-emergency number for the police is 101, which can be used where there is no immediate danger to life, if the crime is not in progress, if the offender is not close by or if you have a general enquiry.

Detective Superintendent Ian Coates said: “Inappropriate calls to the police service prevent and delay genuine emergency calls from getting through to the operators in our control room.

“Every year we reiterate the same message but people still use the system in the wrong way. All we ask is that people think thoroughly before they pick up the phone and dial 999.”