MOBILE phone users making hoax 999 fire calls in Warrington are being sent warning text messages and ultimately having their service axed as part of an ongoing campaign.

Figures show that over the last five years, Cheshire Fire Service has been successful in reducing nuisance calls across the county by more than 50 per cent using methods such as broadcasting recordings of hoax callers on radio and launching advertising slogans on fire engines.

Most recently it has been able to withdraw the services of more than 10 mobile phone users and send nearly 70 warnings via text message in a bid to eradicate hoaxers.

When a call is made to 999 it is answered by BT, which can identify the caller's number. The fire service has worked with the mobile phone networks to agree a policy whereby the services can then be cancelled.

Paul McGugan, station commander at Warrington Fire Station, said: "The practicality of hoax calls is a worrying trend to the fire service on the basis that what it amounts to is us using resources in a place where they are not really required.

"That leaves other people in the borough in a vulnerable position at times. They could be in desperate need for our services when we are out on a malicious call elsewhere. When we are out on a call we are committed to see it through to the conclusion before we go to another incident - even if it is a false alarm.

"Hoax calls should not happen, people should not be so stupid - they are putting other people's lives at risk."

Steve McGuirk, Cheshire's fire chief, said: "On the whole, the problem with mobile phones is with young people. The potential for a growth in misuse is enormous. If we do not keep an eye on the level of these calls, they will not only increase but lives will be put at risk."

However, it appears that the success of the campaign may be costing Cheshire Fire Service.

He added: "The effectiveness of this campaign and strategy has cost the organisation dearly. In a two-year period, where the biggest reduction in calls was made, Cheshire Fire Service had its grant from Government reduced by more than £640,000.

"This reduction in the grant is commonly known as the 'Perverse Incentive' whereby fire services are actually paid for the number of calls they attend, and therefore if they manage to reduce calls, they lose money."