A police call handler’s quick thinking meant officers were dispatched to a domestic incident – even though the caller asked for a pizza delivery.
Audio of the 999 call released by the Metropolitan Police revealed how call handler Pippa Harvey led the woman through a series of yes or no questions to determine that she was afraid of someone in the property.
When the woman opened the conversation asking for pizza, Ms Harvey asked: “Do you require pizza delivery or do you require the police? If it’s the police say yes.”
Ms Harvey kept up the ruse as she dispatched officers to the property, asking the woman if she or her children had been threatened.
“If he threatened to hurt you, tell me pepperoni. If he threatened to hurt the children, tell me cheese,” she said.
“Pepperoni,” the woman answered.
At one point in the background, a child could be heard crying.
Ms Harvey told her police would be on the way, and to ring 999 again if needed, but said they had to hang up because staying on the phone longer would “look suspicious if you’re calling for pizza”.
Ms Harvey had only been in the role a few months when she received the call, the Met Police said.
She was later awarded a commendation.
“[She] recognised the disguise and used her initiative to ensure the woman received the help she needed,” Met Police said.
Read more from Sky News:
Dad denies murdering daughter in ‘play-fight’
Apple AI feature ‘must be revoked’
Paid bereavement leave should cover miscarriage, MPs say
Follow our channel and never miss an update
Sharing news of the award, Met Police urged people to phone 999 even if they were unable to talk freely.
On a mobile phone, tapping 55 when prompted will connect your call to police, and they will usually be able to find your location.
On a landline, if you don’t speak or answer questions and the operator can only hear background noise, they will transfer your call to the police.
Sky News has approached the Met Police for further comment.
