SENSIBLE people would surely assume that calling in the help of the police indicates an emergency situation?

Apparently not. Two cases this week revealed that dialling 999 is something many people regard as their right, just when they feel like it.

One call was from a customer at a trendy London café who was asked to leave after he kicked up a fuss because he’d been given the wrong teabag. Yes, not being assaulted or having his house burgled but the life-threatening scenario of being served the wrong tea.

The other concerned a row over a four-year-old girl’s ballet abilities at a ballet school in Cheltenham. The father was unhappy with his daughter’s progress and the teacher wouldn’t let him view a class. Both reported the other to the police.

All these calls demand time and manpower, stretching precious police resources in unnecessary directions. Common sense is definitely needed here.