EVEN under normal conditions, hoax emergency calls threaten lives. Every bogus message that requires the attention of a fire crew uses up valuable resources, potentially putting at risk the lives of the people in genuine emergencies.

A malicious call made when firefighters are on strike should be viewed as a very serious crime, and dealt with accordingly by the police and the courts.

Without examining the rights or wrongs of the action by the Fire Brigades Union, there is widespread support and understanding for the emergency duties undertaken by military personnel.

With inferior numbers, inferior vehicles and inferior equipment, they cannot be expect to match the service provide by regular firefighters.

The time and resources wasted on hoax calls make the cover provided by the Green Goddesses even more precarious.

As a society, we must send out a signal that malicious calls at any time, but particularly at this moment in time, will not be tolerated.

We urge the police to take swift and effective action to arrest those responsible for putting lives and property at greater risk.

And those charged should be fast-tracked through the courts, and those convicted should be punished severely.

It must be made clear that malicious calls are no laughing matter.

A black and white moment

NEWCASTLE United go into the draw for the second phase of the Champions League today, buoyed by the knowledge that they will be £10m better off.

After losing their first three games in the campaign, the Magpies looked destined for an early exit from the competition.

But, it seems, Sir Bobby Robson's boundless enthusiasm and optimism has rubbed off on his players.

In the second phase, Newcastle will be up against the very best European football can muster.

They may not be good enough to make it through to the quarter-final, but who knows? The fans should just savour these remarkable moments.