Emergency-call rapper hunted

MANCHESTER - Greater Manchester Police is seeking a nuisance caller who has telephoned the emergency number more than 3000 times to sing rap songs to the call handlers in a heavy Jamaican accent.

The unknown rapper, who also preaches and prays during the calls, has been ringing up to 10 times a day - at all hours of the day and night - since January 2009. It has cost the force an estimated £1000 ($2100) a month to deal with his relentless calls.

The call handlers are obliged to listen for two to three minutes in case the man does make an emergency request. Police have attempted to frustrate him by blocking mobile phone SIM cards, but he has just bought new phones.

- Independent