Police were forced to remind the man that soliciting for sex was illegal (Reuters)
The punter was accused of wasting police time (Reuters)

Police have issued a warning to a man in Birmingham after he dialled 999 to complain about a prostitute's appearance.

West Midlands Police said that he made the complaint under the Sale of Goods Act.

An officer informed the caller that the woman had not committed an offence and warned him about wasting police time.

A police spokesman said: "A 999 call was received from a man wishing to complain about a sex worker he had met in a hotel car park.

"The caller claimed that the woman had made out that she was better looking than she actually was and he wished to report her for breaching the Sale of Goods Act.

"When he raised this issue with the woman concerned, she allegedly took his car keys, ran away from the car and threw them back at him, prompting him to call police.

"An officer in Solihull advised the caller that no offences had been committed by the woman and that soliciting for sex was illegal.

"Despite the man refusing to give his details, police have been able to identify him and have sent him a letter warning him about his actions.

"Wasting police time is a serious offence and carries a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment."

Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 goods must be described correctly, be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose.