Romsey mum rang 999 because she was too drunk to collect children from school

8:51am Thursday 7th February 2013 in Health Photograph of the Author Exclusive By Luke Tugby, Senior reporter

Too drunk mum rang 999 to pick up kids from school Too drunk mum rang 999 to pick up kids from school

A HAMPSHIRE mum dialled 999 for help because she was “too drunk” to pick up her children from school, the Daily Echo can reveal.

The woman made the call to police on Tuesday afternoon, claiming that she was unfit to collect her two children from school after drinking an unknown amount of alcohol.

Officers were called to an address in Romsey to “provide support” to the family.

The two children, who are both under the age of 11, were today back in the care of their mum and her male partner.

However, the case has now been referred to social services.

It was unclear last night whether any further action would be taken against the couple.

Police confirmed that they arrested a man at the address in connection with an “historic” assault, which was not related to the children or the 999 call made by his partner.

Inspector Jackie Willson, from Romsey police station, described the latest call as “more of a cry for help” from the parent.

She said: “We had a call from a mother saying she was too drunk to pick up her children.

“She had had a bit to drink, but she was by no means paralytic.

“She just needed a bit of support, I think, which we provided.”

The incident comes after the Daily Echo revealed that thousands of inappropriate 999 calls were made to Hampshire’s emergency services during 2011, putting lives at risk and wasting tens of thousands of pounds in resources.

Fewer than one in six 999 calls made to Hampshire police in 2010/11 were for a genuine emergency, with just 15 per cent of requests requiring an urgent response.

Hampshire Constabulary received 243,601 calls during the course of the year, but only 36,234 were classed as a genuine emergency.

Bizarre calls to the ambulance service included people asking for help to find a remote control, change a lightbulb, or even calling a paramedic to get a glass of water because it was too cold to get out of bed.

On another occasion an ambulance was called to an incident of “uncontrollable bleeding” when in fact they arrived to find that someone had just popped a spot.

It prompted the Daily Echo to join forces with the emergency services to launch a hard-hitting campaign film to show how lives are placed in danger when inappropriate calls drag vital resources from those who really need help.

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Comments(39)

userds5050 says...
9:30am Thu 7 Feb 13

Too drunk to give a fu...

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ToastyTea says...
9:32am Thu 7 Feb 13

haha fair play to her that's pretty cool.

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-stiv- says...
9:36am Thu 7 Feb 13

Good on them for recognising that there was more to the story than you'd think.

Well done to the police and well done to Social Services for picking up on it. Hope a close eye is kept on the kids.

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alan.of.eastleigh says...
9:39am Thu 7 Feb 13

userds5050 wrote:
Too drunk to give a fu...
Of course it helps if you read the article... ..she was not actually that drunk but clearly the cry for help was taken seriously. A good response with potential problems evident had they ignored the call.

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userds5050 says...
10:20am Thu 7 Feb 13

alan.of.eastleigh wrote:
userds5050 wrote:
Too drunk to give a fu...
Of course it helps if you read the article... ..she was not actually that drunk but clearly the cry for help was taken seriously. A good response with potential problems evident had they ignored the call.
I don't think "not paralytic" is not actually that drunk. They were never going to not take this call seriously. Not sure why the DE is linking this story with their earlier report on people phoning 999 because of a lost remote control ect...

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lemon cake says...
10:41am Thu 7 Feb 13

One rule for one, one rule for another!

I was in a pub one lunch time and rung 999 to ask them to take my kids home as they were getting bored and wanted some dinner.

Did they help me? Did they buggery!!

I ended up having to buy three bags of ready salted crisps (no beef or salt & vinegar!!) and gave the kids £1 each to play pool.

Whats the point of me paying tax (if i had a job and paid tax) for a police service if they wont help me as they claim they are to busy catching criminals!!

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daveetwo says...
10:50am Thu 7 Feb 13

I would much prefer to see her call for help than drink drive. (assuming she normally picked the kids up in the car)
I bet there are plenty of unreported instances of a parent picking up kids after drinking through lunchtime.

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Uberarticuno says...
11:01am Thu 7 Feb 13

I'm glad that she called help but I don't think it should have been 999, it wasn't exactly an emergency.

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sparkster says...
11:49am Thu 7 Feb 13

I dont think the call should have been a 999 call, i know there are some as mentioned in the article that will call an ambulance out for the most stupid of reasons. I think in those cases the people should be fined for wasting time when there could be somebody in a life or death situation needing an ambulance

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sotonwinch09 says...
11:50am Thu 7 Feb 13

If she's too drunk to pick her kids up from school then take her kids away. She cannot be a good role model and a mother if she has a drinking problem.

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sparkster says...
11:53am Thu 7 Feb 13

exactly, the answer is simple surely, dont drink before you are due to pick up your kids duh!

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Be honest says...
1:43pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Lets makes things abundantly clear! The allegations made in this article about the mother who was drunk are inaccurate and have been sensationalised by the journalist who wrote the article. Maybe the journalist involved should ensure that the information sourced is entirely accurate before printing! Also we should remember that there are children involved and the article will of course cause unnecessary distress for the kids.

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Lone Ranger. says...
2:39pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Be honest wrote:
Lets makes things abundantly clear! The allegations made in this article about the mother who was drunk are inaccurate and have been sensationalised by the journalist who wrote the article. Maybe the journalist involved should ensure that the information sourced is entirely accurate before printing! Also we should remember that there are children involved and the article will of course cause unnecessary distress for the kids.
Allegations ......... Inaccurate, .... Sensationalised, .......
.
Surely not ...... This is the Echo

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userds5050 says...
2:46pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Be honest wrote:
Lets makes things abundantly clear! The allegations made in this article about the mother who was drunk are inaccurate and have been sensationalised by the journalist who wrote the article. Maybe the journalist involved should ensure that the information sourced is entirely accurate before printing! Also we should remember that there are children involved and the article will of course cause unnecessary distress for the kids.
I very much doubt the kids read the DE

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beiroot says...
3:24pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Wasn't there a story on here recently about a child taken away by the SS because of a rash on a foot yet this lady has her kids returned.Beggars belief.

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Be honest says...
3:32pm Thu 7 Feb 13

They probably don't but they definitely use the Internet, Facebook and twitter which the echo use. It only takes an adult to gossip at the school gates which kids hear and then this could lead to being an issue for the kids involved e.g. Being bullied! Lets remember they are kids and do not deserve this level of media in there lives. Lets put this to bed for theirs sake.

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rich the stitch says...
3:39pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Be honest wrote:
They probably don't but they definitely use the Internet, Facebook and twitter which the echo use. It only takes an adult to gossip at the school gates which kids hear and then this could lead to being an issue for the kids involved e.g. Being bullied! Lets remember they are kids and do not deserve this level of media in there lives. Lets put this to bed for theirs sake.
You seem to know more than the echo have let on. Would you like to enlighten us, or are you just sticking up for someone who is quite clearly a bad parent.

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Be honest says...
3:47pm Thu 7 Feb 13

I will not be divulging details about this as there are children involved. I can confirm that there are several discrepacies in the article, and the journalist involved has failed to include a number of details which would portray the situation very differently. Again for the sake of the children please refrain your judgement of there mother, who loves her children very much. As do all parents.

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minnie64 says...
4:09pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Whatever the situation, readers have the right to comment what they like

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sparkster says...
4:19pm Thu 7 Feb 13

here here minnie64 we are all entitled to make an opinion that is what this site is for, we may not all agree with each other. The mother in this case may well love her children but not all parents do

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Sir Ad E Noid says...
4:46pm Thu 7 Feb 13

ToastyTea wrote:
haha fair play to her that's pretty cool.
Why is there always an idiot wanting to post this drivel about it being cool to waste Police time.

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Inform Al says...
5:03pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Soon after the insidious 101 number was instigated I saw two young unhelmeted lads riding an old motor scooter around the outside of the tots playground in Daisy Dip. I dialled 999 and was told to ring on 101, I didn't. Soon after I saw youngsters playing in an electricity sub station so again dialled 999 and was againg told to ring in on 101. As these calls cost 10p from a landline and much more on a mobile I told the operator to forget it as I would call the Fire Service if and when they fried. I wonder how many more of these type of calls are put down by the police as non emergency.

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rich the stitch says...
5:05pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Be honest wrote:
I will not be divulging details about this as there are children involved. I can confirm that there are several discrepacies in the article, and the journalist involved has failed to include a number of details which would portray the situation very differently. Again for the sake of the children please refrain your judgement of there mother, who loves her children very much. As do all parents.
So you're just trying to justify a drunkard mother who is going out with a violent man - great role models for the kids. Seen it on here many times, friends of the accused trying to excuse their disgusting behaviour. Getting drunk, mid week when you need to pick the kids up from school, no excuse for that what so ever.

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mickey01 says...
5:08pm Thu 7 Feb 13

sotonwinch09 wrote:
If she's too drunk to pick her kids up from school then take her kids away. She cannot be a good role model and a mother if she has a drinking problem.
who said she had a drinking problem ? at least she rang to let someone know , some idiots drive to collect their kids while under the influence and by the way its not against the law to drink during the day

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miltonarcher says...
5:21pm Thu 7 Feb 13

These stupid non emergency calls cost lives. The low life, underclass scum who make the calls should be given appropriate punishment. Hit them where it hurts, fine em.

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Be honest says...
5:25pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Lets makes things abundantly clear! The allegations made in this article about the mother who was drunk are inaccurate and have been sensationalised by the journalist who wrote the article. Maybe the journalist involved should ensure that the information sourced is entirely accurate before printing! Also we should remember that there are children involved and the article will of
course cause unnecessary distress for the kids.

Report this post »

rich the stitch says...
5:35pm Thu 7 Feb 13

mickey01 wrote:
sotonwinch09 wrote: If she's too drunk to pick her kids up from school then take her kids away. She cannot be a good role model and a mother if she has a drinking problem.
who said she had a drinking problem ? at least she rang to let someone know , some idiots drive to collect their kids while under the influence and by the way its not against the law to drink during the day
You're right, it is not against the law to drink during the day, but you have to ask the question, is it good parenting to drink so much during a day when you know you have to collect your children from school? IMO someone who gets drunk knowing they will be responsible for children under the age of 11 has a drink problem.

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Forest Resident says...
5:38pm Thu 7 Feb 13

The fact the Police had to be called to step in and sort out a families domestic arrangements is a disgusting waste of their time and taxpayers £'s. In situations such as this where no crime has occurred and there is clear parental incompetence the Police should be able to bill the woman for the valuable resources she has needlessly taken up. I really pity her poor children, what a pathetic example of a mother she must be.

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Rocketscientist says...
6:13pm Thu 7 Feb 13

All Officers are busy, out catching rapist and murderers, sorry losers.....

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J.P.M says...
7:21pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Inform Al wrote:
Soon after the insidious 101 number was instigated I saw two young unhelmeted lads riding an old motor scooter around the outside of the tots playground in Daisy Dip. I dialled 999 and was told to ring on 101, I didn't. Soon after I saw youngsters playing in an electricity sub station so again dialled 999 and was againg told to ring in on 101. As these calls cost 10p from a landline and much more on a mobile I told the operator to forget it as I would call the Fire Service if and when they fried. I wonder how many more of these type of calls are put down by the police as non emergency.
Busibody.....
Get down to the library, and bore people there.

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IronLady2010 says...
7:36pm Thu 7 Feb 13

This is half a story again.

The Police attended to 'Give Support' did they collect the children from school?

Obviously this address and family have a history for the Police to attend.

I'm not going to judge the family as I feel there is more to this, but I do hope Social Services are fast in looking out for the children.

Let's hope all ends well for all involved, wether that means the mother being given help or the kids taken into care. Good luck either way.

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rich the stitch says...
9:22pm Thu 7 Feb 13

J.P.M wrote:
Inform Al wrote:
Soon after the insidious 101 number was instigated I saw two young unhelmeted lads riding an old motor scooter around the outside of the tots playground in Daisy Dip. I dialled 999 and was told to ring on 101, I didn't. Soon after I saw youngsters playing in an electricity sub station so again dialled 999 and was againg told to ring in on 101. As these calls cost 10p from a landline and much more on a mobile I told the operator to forget it as I would call the Fire Service if and when they fried. I wonder how many more of these type of calls are put down by the police as non emergency.
Busibody.....
Get down to the library, and bore people there.
999 calls are for emergencies, not for grassing kids up riding around on bikes. Your the type if person who is taking up the valuable time of the call handlers, stopping proper emergency calls getting through. Got nothing better to do?

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sparkster says...
10:13pm Thu 7 Feb 13

999 calls are for emergencies not for getting kids picked up from school wasting valuable time for someone who desperately needs an ambulance

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scprof says...
10:55pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Did we as the tax payer provide the money for her to buy the alcohol as well. I'm pretty sure we probably did.

And 101 is 15p for the entire call or free from a payphone.

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Be honest says...
11:21am Fri 8 Feb 13

I would like to confirm that the mother involved doesn't have a driving licence so she cannot of been drink driving! Also someone else went to collect the children from school. So just remember even local newspapers can be inaccurate, just like the tabloids. Everyone has a right to there opinion, and I respect that. But make sure the report is accurate first!

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rich the stitch says...
12:39pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Be honest wrote:
I would like to confirm that the mother involved doesn't have a driving licence so she cannot of been drink driving! Also someone else went to collect the children from school. So just remember even local newspapers can be inaccurate, just like the tabloids. Everyone has a right to there opinion, and I respect that. But make sure the report is accurate first!
Does she have a job? I'm guessing not.

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Mary80 says...
4:46pm Fri 8 Feb 13

She cant be a good mum if she allows a violent thug anywhere NEAR her kids

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saintmicky says...
8:12pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Be honest wrote:
I will not be divulging details about this as there are children involved. I can confirm that there are several discrepacies in the article, and the journalist involved has failed to include a number of details which would portray the situation very differently. Again for the sake of the children please refrain your judgement of there mother, who loves her children very much. As do all parents.
"Mum, Mum Is that you?" Please come and pick us up now we're freezing!

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ilogik_23 says...
10:32am Sat 9 Feb 13

Sir Ad E Noid wrote:
ToastyTea wrote: haha fair play to her that's pretty cool.
Why is there always an idiot wanting to post this drivel about it being cool to waste Police time.
Well I'm glad someone noticed this moron's idiotic post. Without throwing stones you can probably assume they are young, ileducated, sponging off the state and it's everyone else's fault. If not, well they're just a complete n*b'ead!

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