Foot Fetish Hoaxer Bombards Sussex Police with Dozens of Bizarre Calls
A Sussex man has been slammed for making over 30 malicious, fetish-driven prank calls to Sussex Police. Richard Cove, 49, from Boundary Road, relentlessly targeted the police non-emergency 101 line between June 2023 and September 2024, pretending to be an elderly woman and steering chats towards inappropriate foot-related topics.
Dozens of Disturbing Calls Waste Police Time
Cove’s calls, which lasted more than three hours in total, often started with innocent questions before quickly turning creepy. The relentless hoax disrupted police staff, some of whom were dealing with serious cases like sexual offences and online child exploitation.
Police Blast Hoaxer for “Gross Misuse of Resources”
“This is a gross misuse of public resources,” said a police spokesperson. The prank calls not only wasted time but also risked delaying urgent help for those in genuine need.
Sussex Police Urge Public: Use 101 and 999 Responsibly
Sussex Police reminded everyone that the 101 line is a non-emergency service for genuine enquiries only. Misusing this service can have serious consequences, including endangering lives by diverting crucial resources.
