It has saved countless lives over the last eight decades.

And as the 999 service turns 80 today (Fri June 30), the chief of Norfolk Police is urging people to think carefully before dialling 999 or the non-emergency number 101.

Year on year, particularly during the summer months, calls into the Contact and Control Room (CCR) have increased significantly and on average call handlers are now taking 1,200 phone calls every day.

So far in 2017, there has been an 18pc increase in 999 calls. In May 2017, there was a 22pc increase in 999 calls and a 7pc increase in 101 calls (compared to 2016).

So far in June 2017, there has been an 18pc increase in 999 calls and a 7pc increase in 101 calls (compared to 2016).

To tackle this, the 'Make the Right Call' campaign is being used to remind people to think carefully before dialling 999 and 101 and to consider alternatives for non-police matters.

Chief Constable Simon Bailey said: 'On a daily basis, staff in the CCR are being pushed to breaking point by the sheer number of 999 and 101 calls coming in.

'In May alone, we saw an increase of more than a thousand 999 calls requiring an urgent response.

'It is crucial as a police service we are available when people need us, at all times. This is why I am urging members of the public to think carefully when dialling 999 or 101.

'People should only call 999 if there is a direct and immediate threat to life or property or if a crime is in progress.

'Our staff prioritise people who are in immediate need and if you ring 999 in error you could be preventing someone else in a genuine emergency from getting through.'

In a bid to help reduce demand and put resources where they are needed the most, the force's new website has more self-service functions including online forms for:

Reporting a crime - low-level anti-social behaviour - road traffic collisions, which do not require a police attendance - Dashboard camera footage.

If members of the public still have questions around policing or non-policing matters, they can access a range of information on the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Norfolk Police website or via 'Ask the Police' which can be found on any search engine.

You can access information and advice using the 'FAQ' link at www.norfolk.police.uk

You can also access useful information using 'ask the police' www.askthe.police.uk