Teenager admits making hoax call which sparked large emergency response in Blackpool

Friday, 16 January 2026 08:03

By Central Radio News

A teenager has admitted making a hoax call which led to a large scale emergency response in Blackpool, involving police, HM Coastguard, the fire service and ambulance service.

They were called to the Promenade at 2.33am on Tuesday (13th January) following a report of a concern for welfare of an individual who had got into difficulty in the sea.

After around 90 minutes of searching, it transpired this was a hoax call thought to have been linked to an attempt to boost engagement on a social media account.

A 19-year-old man was arrested in Blackpool later that morning.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Kian King, 19, of St Chads Road, Blackpool was charged with causing wasteful employment of police time.

He appeared at Lancaster Magistrates Court where he admitted the charge.

He’s been remanded in custody ahead of a bail hearing on February 4^th.

Have you got a local news story? Email us now, news@central.radio

More from Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde News

New chapter confirmed for Guy’s Thatched Hamlet

The new owners of Guy’s Thatched Hamlet in Bilsborrow have been confirmed.
Levelling continues off Cookson Street for £65m Multiversity project

The landscape of Blackpool is continuing to change as a cordoned off area of Charles Street and Cookson Street is levelled off to make way for the town’s landmark £65 million Multiversity campus.
Call for Jubilee Gardens in Cleveleys to be restored to former glory

A call has been made for a Fylde coast park to be restored to the way it used to be, when it was a huge attraction for youngsters, families and visitors.
Work under way to make notorious Norcross roundabout safer

Urgent changes to make the notorious Norcross roundabout safer for drivers are finally under way.
Revoe community sports village plan to complement wider central Blackpool regeneration

Work to build a new community sports village in central Blackpool is expected to start later this year.
Counselling hub is reopening thanks to vital funds after storm damage

A busy Blackpool counselling centre which was forced to shut last year after being wrecked by massive storm is set to reopen.
Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone continues to drive investment and create new jobs

Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is continuing to see significant progress, with major infrastructure projects nearing completion and further development underway to help businesses grow and create new jobs for the Fylde coast.
Wyre Council marks Empty Homes Week by bringing properties back into use

Wyre Council are marking Empty Homes Week by highlighting the progress being made to bring vacant properties back into use and help meet growing local housing demand.