A 42-year-old woman breached an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) by calling 999 to report a man had stolen her dog.

Tanya Pascolini, of Longmead Road, Thames Ditton, admitted the breach last week when she appeared at South West Surrey Magistrates' Court.

Magistrates heard she had called Surrey Police in the early hours of Tuesday, January 10, to report her dog stolen, but a condition of her five-year Asbo, imposed in October of last year, stipulated she should not call 999 unless in a genuine emergency.

She was fined £50, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £50.

Neighbourhood Inspector Sarah Milligan said: "The current reality of austerity in policing means that we must ensure that our officers time is put to best use and this means prioritising demand.

"We will continue to monitor and take any appropriate action against those who plague the emergency system with unnecessary calls and in the case breaching a specific condition of an ASBO relating to such misuse."