A quick-thinking 999 call handler has been praised for realising a call ordering a pizza was actually from a woman who desperately needed help.
The Met Police has shared the audio of a conversation where a 999 caller was able to check if someone was in danger using coded messages disguised as a food order.
During the conversation, which has been recreated using actors, a call handler can be heard telling an afraid mother “If he threatened to hurt you, tell me pepperoni, if he threatened to hurt the children tell me cheese” as they quickly called for police officers to head to the scene.
The call handler can first be heard asking “what’s the emergency” before someone replies “pizza delivery”.
She quickly realises it is an emergency and the caller is unable to explain what exactly has happened, asking: “Do you require pizza delivery or do you require the police? If it is the police say yes.”
The caller then asks “is the person at the property scaring you now” before adding “no problem police are coming okay?”
They later added: “Keep in a separate room from him for the moment alright? But if I stay on the phone any longer it will look suspicious if you’re calling for a pizza… Police will be with you very soon.”
The caller has been commended for her “heroic” quick-thinking and the Met Police has shared advice on what to do if you need to make a silent 999 call.
If you’re in danger, call 999 and try to speak to the operator if you can, even by whispering. You may also be asked to cough or tap the keys on your phone to answer questions.
If you don’t speak or answer questions, press 55 or tap when prompted and your call will be transferred to the police.
The police will usually be able to find your location.
You can read further advice from the Met Police about silent calls here.
More London stories – click above