Tired of calls from the chronically clueless about "good stain removers" or "rats in the kitchen" clogging up the switchboard (those are actual 999 calls, folks), the Met has launched an alternative phone line for non-emergency situations. It is hoped the number, 0300 1231212, will help cut down the 50,000 monthly calls - a quarter in all - that do not require an emergency response. A laudable effort, though when people are calling 999 because......

At the time when government is cracking down on our Fire Brigades to proactively work on diversity and equality in the Service, it is happily recruiting outside its normal demographic. Outside our species, in fact. The Urban Search and Rescue canine squad is receiving a £430,000 investment to expand its elite sniffing skills to London's fire service and another 16 services nationwide. The dogs - usually springer spaniels or collies - receive 18 months......