Nuisance Caller Wrecks NHS and Police Resources, Slapped with 5-Year Behaviour Order
Stephen Holder Rings Up Chaos with 414 False Emergency Calls
Stephen Holder, 62, of Snodhurst Avenue, Chatham, has been slammed with a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order after bombarding emergency services with 414 nuisance calls in just one year.
The grandfather repeatedly threatened self-harm in calls often lasting over an hour, draining NHS and Kent Police resources to the tune of more than £45,000.
Relentless Abuse Despite Warnings and Support
- Between January 2019 and February 2020, Holder made 118 calls to Kent Police costing taxpayers roughly £15,000.
- He dialed the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) 296 times.
- Emergency crews were often forced to attend his home to check on his welfare.
Despite receiving support offers from Kent Police and Medway Council and facing warnings and a Community Protection Notice, Holder persisted.
He was issued a fixed penalty for his conduct but failed to pay, prompting police to finally take court action.
Five-Year Ban on Emergency Service Calls Unless Genuine
On April 14, 2020, Medway Magistrates’ Court handed Holder a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order. The order:
- Prohibits making emergency calls unless it’s a genuine emergency.
- Bans withholding or providing false identity when calling police for legitimate reasons.
- Forbids instructing others to make emergency calls on his behalf unless truly needed.
Authorities Send Strong Warning to Would-Be Nuisance Callers
“Holder was a persistent nuisance caller who wasted valuable emergency time and despite support kept abusing the system. I hope this makes others think twice,” said PC Beth Honess from Medway’s Community Safety Unit.
SECAmb added: “We support vulnerable frequent callers but take action when necessary to hold them accountable. We hope this acts as a deterrent.”
Cllr Adrian Gulvin of Medway Council declared, “Misusing emergency services and abusing frontline workers is unacceptable. This case sends a clear message that wasting emergency time will not be tolerated.”
