'Battle cries' trigger 999 call

Fears of a fight breaking out proved to be unfounded

A couple rang 999 when they heard shouts and screams coming from a Leicestershire wood - to find it was a rehearsal for a battle re-enactment.

Two garden centre owners heard yells of "you killed my dog and I'm going to take revenge - I will kill you".

But police arrived in Whittick to discover 12 to 15 people in medieval costume practicing battle cries.

Officers said there were "lots of laughs and smiles" once the situation was realised.

When we found out what it was, we just laughed Freda Macmillan

Allan and Freda Macmillan, who run A and F Nurseries, initially thought the noise was caused by scouts or cadets doing a task.

Mrs Macmillan said: "But then it started to get violent.

"There was a dog barking and a lot of them were shouting.

"The customers were getting worried... It sounded like someone was being kicked in - it was frightening.

"When we found out what it was, we just laughed."

Coalville police commander Andy Lee denied police time had been wasted in answering the call.

He said: "We would rather have a dozen calls about such incidents than fail to get information about a truly serious situation."

Nobody was able to identify the re-enactment group, but they apparently returned to the scene shortly afterwards to continue their practice.