Police slam pranksters for wasting emergency crews’ time with hanging mannequin stunt on railway bridge near Hythe fire station on New Road

POLICE have hit out at pranksters who caused a large emergency response and “distress” by hanging a “life-like” mannequin from a Hythe railway bridge.

The alarm was raised around 10.25pm on Friday, with reports a man’s body had been discovered on the bridge near the town’s fire station on New Road.

But on arrival, officers found it was a mannequin, which had had its hands tied and a bag placed over its head.

People are being urged to come forward to help find those responsible for the hoax.

“This caused a lot of distress to members of the public who saw this, due to how life-like the mannequin was,” a Hampshire force spokesperson said.

“It also meant that 14 emergency services personnel were needlessly called to the scene from the police, ambulance and fire services.

“Incidents such as this could prevent the services helping members of the public who really need it.”

Those with information should contact officers online via hampshire.police.uk or call 101, quoting 44250159252.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously via crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.