A routine 999 call disguised as a pizza order turned out to be a distressing plea for help. A quick-witted Metropolitan Police call handler immediately recognized the underlying crisis and immediately dispatched emergency services to assist the woman in need.
The police force shared the audio of the call on its X account and praised the call handler for his quick thinking. The handler immediately realized the woman was in danger and instructed her to respond with a single word, allowing authorities to be dispatched for assistance.
“Pizza delivery,” said the 999 caller.
“Pizza delivery? OK, do you need pizza delivery or do you need the police? If it’s the police, say yes,” the dispatcher questioned.
“Yes,” the woman replied.
The dispatcher questioned, “Okay, this is the person who is now scaring you about the property.”
“Yes,” said the caller.
“No problem, the police are coming okay? Do they have any weapons, answer yes or no?” the dispatcher asked.
“No,” the caller replied.
The dispatcher said, “If he threatened to hurt you, tell me pepperoni. If he threatened to hurt the kids, tell me cheese.”
“Pepperoni,” the caller specified.
“Okay, the police will be with you soon, okay?” The dispatcher assured.
The caption of the post reads, “Do you need pizza delivery or the police? A heroic police emergency call handler has been praised for his quick thinking when he realized a woman’s call was actually an impersonation And there was an urgent call for help.” ,
See the post here:
Do you need pizza delivery or the police?
A heroic police emergency call handler has been praised for his quick thinking after he realized a woman’s call was actually a disguise and an urgent call for help.
listen to 999 calls pic.twitter.com/OkY1mCKbtH
– Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) 10 January 2025
The use of calling the police and ordering pizza as a secret distress signal gained attention after a domestic violence PSA aired during the 2018 Super Bowl.
The ad, created by No More, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault, shows a woman calling 911 and pretending to order a pizza. Initially, the dispatcher questions whether the call is a prank. The scene then shifts to a cluttered apartment, with a hole in the wall briefly visible.
As the woman continues her “order”, the dispatcher asks if she has an emergency, to which she replies “yes”.
The ad ends with this poignant message: “When talking is hard, it’s up to us to listen.”
