ALLEGED drug dealing, threats to kill over a parking space and abuse hurled at an ice cream man were just some of the calls dealt with by Essex Police during a 24-hour ‘Tweetathon’.

It posted details of dozens of calls as they came in on the social media site as part of a campaign to stop people wasting police time.

The Southend area was particularly busy, with a row kicking off just after 8am on Friday as people fought over a parking space.

A short time later, the Essex Police Twitter account posted details of another bizarre incident.

It said: “Two men and a woman being aggressive to ice cream man. Description of suspects, officers dispatched #Southend.”

The account also tweeted about a call made after a row in a shop.

It said: “Called to disturbance at shop in #Southend. Man kicking off claiming he was given incorrect change. Officers at scene within four minutes.”

Not every tweet was greeted warmly by members of the public.

One said: “Caller reporting suspicious behaviour at car in #Basildon - Poss theft/criminality. Officers will attend when available. “

But @cyrilsneer responded by tweeting: “Attend when you can? Better off dealing with it yourself.”

Elsewhere in south Essex, the account revealed it had taken a call from an unusual complainant.

It said: “Slovakian Embassy calls - report to them from driver who speaks no English and has had lorry slashed open, goods stolen #Thurrock.”

Superintendent Lynn Goodall said the Tweetathon was used to show members of the public the types of calls the police receive and how many people are not just ringing about crime.

She said: “Every day our call handlers deal with calls about a range of issues relating to mental health, vulnerability and requests for information, alongside calls reporting crime or from people needing urgent help.

“We also take hundreds of calls every month on issues that should be dealt with by other agencies,.”

Essex Police sees a “seasonal spike” in crime in the summertime, before the figures fall back in autumn,.

An Essex Police spokesman refused to comment further on any of the calls.

Were you involved in an incident during the Tweetathon? Get in touch at echonews@nqe.com