Less than half 999 calls genuine

Of the 2,279,672 calls made to the 999 emergency number last year, only 44 per cent, or 995,188, were genuine, with the remainder being nuisance or misdialled calls, the police said yesterday in a statement urging Hongkongers to use the hotline only for emergencies. A spokesman said misuse tied up hotline staff and could delay handling of genuine emergencies.