Hoax 111 call results in massive Otago police callout

Otago police are considering whether to lay charges after a hoax call to 111, involving allegations of serious child abuse and domestic assault, resulted in a massive police callout on Friday.

Police received the call about 11.30pm, with the alleged hoaxer saying she had witnessed two young children being assaulted by their parents at a house in the south Otago town of Stirling, 80km southwest of Dunedin, earlier that evening, Acting Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said.

The caller said alcohol, drugs and an unsecured firearm were involved in the incident, Mr Dinnissen said.

The Dunedin armed offenders squad, police from Balclutha, Clinton and Milton, two dog squads, a police negotiation team, a local Child Youth and Family worker and two ambulance staff went to Balclutha to assist with the incident, he said.

Following investigations in to whether the call was a hoax police, just as other staff began to approach the house in Stirling, spoke to a 24-year-old Wanaka woman believed to be behind the call.

Police were investigating whether the woman was responsible for previous 111 calls to the Stirling address, which she may have links to.

Police were yet to lay charges for wasting police and ambulance resources and time, but were continuing investigations.

 

 

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