In the last month 999 calls to Devon and Cornwall Police have risen by 40% at peak times.
Often callers are knowingly using the line inappropriately.
One woman called 999 and asked the call handler if officers could come to her house and test her plug sockets to see if they were working correctly.
Another called 999 stating that she had just got out of a taxi and left her handbag in it and wanted police to follow the taxi and get her handbag back.
Someone else called to say they was standing outside Specsavers and could not find her glasses.
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