We are being warned to keep an eye out for snowman thieves this winter after a woman dialled 999 to report the theft of her snowman from outside her home in Kent on Friday.

The  woman thought the incident required police involvement because she used pound coins for eyes and teaspoons for arms. She informed the police that there had been "a theft" from outside her house, adding "I haven't been out to check on him for five hours but I went outside for a fag and he's gone."

When she was asked who had gone, the woman replied: "My snowman. I thought that with it being icy and there not being anybody about, he'd be safe."

She was then asked whether it was an ornament, and answered: "No, a snowman made of snow, I made him myself. It ain't a nice road but you don't expect someone to nick your snowman."

Officers proceeder to give her advice on real 999 emergencies, after branding her "completely irresponsible". 

The force said the call was made at the same time as operators fielded thousands of other phone calls about the heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures in the county. Chief Inspector Simon Black said: "This call could have cost someone's life if there was a genuine emergency and they couldn't get through."