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Suffolk's fire and rescue service was called to 2,907 false alarms in 2023-24, the highest number in 13 years. Seven in 10 calls were due to faulty equipment.
Why it matters: False alarms now account for half of all incidents attended by Suffolk firefighters, potentially diverting resources from genuine emergencies.
The big picture: The surge in Suffolk mirrors a national trend, with fire services across England responding to 254,000 false alarms last year - the highest figure since 2011-12.
By the numbers:
70% of false alarms were caused by faulty equipment
28% were made in good faith
2% were malicious calls
False alarms made up 50% of the total 5,842 incidents attended
What they're saying: "Firefighters don't go to false alarms, they only come back from them," said Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary. "Automatic alarms are fitted in commercial premises so that firefighters can respond quickly and prevent fires from spreading while buildings are unoccupied."
The other side: The Home Office maintains that public safety remains the priority. A spokesperson said: "It is essential people regularly check fire alarms and have procedures in place to ensure they are maintained in an efficient state, working order and in good repair."
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