AVON and Somerset Police claims it received more than 400 hoax calls last year.

The force said between June 2007 to July 2008 it received 415 hoax calls, 16 percent were made from a telephone box.

Calls included a false report of a teenager being robbed and bullied, a report of a grey squirrel with no hazelnut trees and another caller asking for directions.

Chief Superintendent Dave Hayler, head of communications, said: "It's important people realise that what could seem a harmless joke could result in a serious criminal conviction or endanger someone's life.

"All our call handlers work under tremendous pressure to provide a quality service to people who need help. Wasting the time of the emergency services could cost lives because the emergency services might not be available to respond to real emergencies if they are attending hoax calls.

"We want to send out a warning that we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and positive action will be taken."

The maximum penalty for hoax calls offences is imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of £5,000.

All calls made to Avon and Somerset Police are recorded and can be used as evidence. Police have the power to disconnect mobiles from which hoax calls are made.

The force is now asking for the public's help in catching recent culprits by listening to example hoax calls on the force website. Police are hoping that someone might recognise the caller's voice and identify them.

To hear the hoax calls go to, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk Anyone with information that could help police in their enquiries should call Avon and Somerset Police on 0845 456 7000, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.