People were urged not to call the police to report hosepipe ban violations.
Even before the restrictions were put into place, the military had already received 999 calls about residents' water use.
However, the hosepipe ban is a civil matter, not a criminal one, diverting police callers from dealing with actual emergencies.
Police in Devon and Cornwall have already seen "unprecedented demand" on phone lines on numerous issues this summer, receiving more than 1,000 calls a day. He said he was.
(PA Graphics)
(PA Graphics)
Receive a call – this should be directed to the water company.
``All these issues need to be addressed by other agencies. There is, so please check online before calling."
South West Water, a provider in the area, said the ban will take effect from Tuesday to protect dwindling supplies. said.
The region has had little rain in the last eight months, with July the wettest in almost 100 years and the ban his first in 26 years.
The Thames Water Supply, which supplies water to 15 million people, also banned the use of hose pipes on 24 August, banning Welsh Water,Southern Water, joinedSouth. Eastwater and Yorkshire Water.
Hose ban violations are a civil matter and should not be reported to the police.
National Police Chiefs' Council
A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council said:
"Public concerns about possible violations should consider advice from water suppliers."
Water companies prefer "education over enforcement." People who say they like it but use hoses during the ban could face fines of up to £1,000 if brought to court.
We encourage people to report their neighbors if they find them repeatedly violating prohibitions.
