Thousands of YouTube pranks gone wrong are 'wasting police time', data reveals

Life-threatening stunt: The teenagers appear to 'train surf' on a moving DLR
YouTube/Rikke Brewer
Alexandra Richards21 January 2018

Calls to emergency services for YouTube prank related injuries have risen by more than two-thirds in the past five years, new data revealed.

Police and ambulance services responded at least 2794 times to “YouTube-related incidents" in 2017, a Freedom of Information request showed.

Pranks included the infamous case of Jay Swingler from Wolverhampton, who cemented a microwave to his head, and Ricky Brewer from Aldershoot, who was filmed riding on the roof of a London Docklands Light Railway train.

British Transport Police reported that the rail network had 41 Youtube related incidents last year.

The figures revealed that the number one area for YouTube pranks gone wrong was Merseyside.

In the past year, 457 incidents took place in that area.

Of the forces contacted, 39 responded to the request from The Sunday Times.

It is understood that these practical jokes are good for business as many of the daredevils have thousands of followers, and are able to make money from advertising revenue.

Jay Swingler trapped in a microwave
PA

Of this revenue YouTube owner Google takes 40 per cent of the profit, The Sunday Times reported. It is estimated that the company makes several million pounds from stunt videos.

However, pranksters could face some serious consequences for their practical jokes. Mr Brewer received a suspended prison sentence and an 18-month rehabilitation activity requirement for his train stunt.

In 2016 four members of the YouTube channel Trollstation were imprisoned for staging a robbery at the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Mr Swingler received heavy criticism from Shaun Dakin, the fire officer who led the crew which freed the prankster from the microwave.

Mr Dakin said: “This was clearly a call-out that might have prevented us from helping someone in genuine need."

YouTube told The Sunday Times that its guidelines “prohibit content that’s intended to encourage dangerous activities that have an inherent risk of physical harm”.

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