Wasting police time is listed as a criminal offence in many Commonwealth countries.
In England and Wales, one can be charged with the offence under Section 5(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1967[1] when one "causes any wasteful employment of the police" by "knowingly making to any person a false report" which: The offence carries a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment and/or a fine.
Less serious cases may result in a penalty notice for disorder of £80 for persons aged 16 or over and £40 for younger offenders.
[2] For Scotland the High Court of Justiciary stated in Kerr v. Hill[3] that giving false information to the police constitutes a crime under common law.
In Canada, the offence (known as public mischief) is defined by section 140 of the Criminal Code: