I've heard serving UK police officers elsewhere online say that their department's standard response to reports of hostage situations is to send one officer to drive past the premises in either an unmarked car or their personal car* to see if the report checks out.

In general, cuts to the police have made single crewing a lot more common.

*With the exception of dog handlers, British police aren't allowed to drive home in their patrol cars.

For low priority stuff it's common enough I'd say it's the standard.