Police urge public not to call 999 over Hosepipe ban breaches
The temporary ban comes into force today
North Yorkshire Police are reminding the public that phone lines should be reserved for emergencies, not for reporting breaches of the hosepipe ban.
From today (11 July), hosepipe restrictions will be in place across Yorkshire, but officers have urged residents not to contact police with concerns related to the ban.
"Any call made to us about hosepipe use could divert our call handlers away from real emergencies," a police spokesperson said. "We need to ensure those in genuine need can get through."
Instead, members of the public are encouraged to follow the latest advice from Yorkshire Water or their local water provider. Full details about the restrictions, including how to report any issues, are available on the Yorkshire Water website.
Police also reiterated that 999 should only be used in situations where a crime is in progress or there is an immediate risk to life or property. Non-emergency incidents can be reported online or via the 101 non-emergency line.
Activities that are not permitted while the temporary restrictions are in place include:
· Using a hosepipe to water a garden
· Using a hosepipe to clean private vehicles or boats
· Watering plants with a hosepipe on a domestic or other non-commercial premises
· Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming, paddling pool, hot tub or cold-water plunge pool with a hosepipe
· Using a hosepipe for domestic recreational use
· Filling or maintaining a domestic pond or ornamental fountain using a hosepipe
· Cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe
· Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
· Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe
People can still wash their car and water their gardens without using a hosepipe if they use tap water from a bucket or watering can; or use water that is not sourced from taps such as grey water, rainwater from a water butt, or a private borehole.
Businesses will be allowed to use a hosepipe if it is directly related to a commercial purpose. There are restrictions on using a hosepipe if not for those essential commercial needs – so using a hosepipe to clean a path outside a business property, for example, would not be allowed.