A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of making more than 10 calls to Cheshire Police's force control centre and verbally abusing call handlers.

On Sunday, December 1, Cheshire Police call handers received more than 10 non-emergency calls from a man who was verbally abusive towards them.

Officers subsequently traced the calls to an address in Prestbury, where a man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of sending an offensive, indecent or menacing message over a public network.

It is also alleged that the man had also made more than 30 calls of a similar nature to Hertfordshire Police between November 20 and December 1.

The suspect has since been released on conditional bail.

Chief inspector Daniel Reynolds, of Cheshire Police, said: “Our call handlers play a vital role in the receipt of emergency calls from the public needing our help.

“They are not there to be subjected to a torrent of abuse from nuisance callers with nothing better to do when they should be speaking to those who are genuinely in need.

“Be under no illusion, this is a criminal offence.

“If you are found guilty of misusing the 101 and 999 systems, you could face a fine of up to £5,000 fine or six months imprisonment.”