Wasting police time


Wasting police time is listed as a criminal offence in many Commonwealth countries.

United Kingdom

In England and Wales, one can be charged with the offence under Section 5 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 when one "causes any wasteful employment of the police" by "knowingly making to any person a false report" which:
The offence carries a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment and/or a fine. Less serious cases may result in a penalty notice for disorder of £80 for persons aged 16 or over and £40 for younger offenders.
The same applies to Northern Ireland according to Section 5 of the Criminal Law Act 1967.
For Scotland the High Court of Justiciary stated in Kerr v. Hill that giving false information to the police constitutes a crime under common law.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, one can be charged under Section 24 of the Summary Offences Act 1981 for committing either of the following acts:
A person convicted under this section may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to three months, or a fine of up to NZ$2000.

Canada

In Canada, the offence is defined by section 140 of the Criminal Code: