Because apparently we don’t know how to use 999 (Picture: Getty/Alamy/Metro)tty / Alamy

Apparently, in 2015 people still don’t know what the 999 line is for.

In order to remind the public that calls to the number are for emergencies – and not just when you fancy a chat – Metropolitan Police have revealed a list of preposterous examples which have actually been used to call 999.

1. A woman called police to say she has just bought a kebab and it was cold.

‘Hello is that police? My kebab’s cold’… (Picture: Getty)

The shop wouldn’t replace her kebab.


2. Callers, who slept through their alarm and were going to be late for a flight, wanted officers to escort them to the airport.

3. A woman called stating that she was angry because she’d seen a clown in London selling balloons for £5 each.



This price was much more expensive than other clowns selling the same product elsewhere.

4. Callers phoned in distress; they were driving and the low fuel indicator light had come on.

5. A man called to say that his 50p coin was stuck in a washing machine at his local launderette and wanted police to retrieve it.

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6. Man called claiming he didn’t have change for the parking.

He claimed staff at the car park had kidnapped him because they were refusing to let him out for free.

7. ‘Where is the best place to get a bacon sandwich right now?’ was the question asked to a 999 operator at 04:00hrs on a Saturday.

8. A man called 999 as he was advised to call 111 but didn’t know their number.

It’s 111, FYI.

9. A woman called stating that she wanted police to deal with a couple of noisy foxes outside her address as they were preventing her from sleeping.

Again… probably not an emergency (Picture: Getty)

10. A woman called asking for police to attend her property as there were men in her house trying to take her away.

The men in question were, in fact, police officers who had attended her address to arrest her.

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Details of the calls have been released to prevent people using the number in non-emergencies.

Only call 999 if… Somebody’s life is at risk or someone is being physically threatened.

If a crime is in progress, or if the offenders are still nearby.

When a road traffic collision cases personal injury or danger.

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If you need to contact the police in a non-emergency, you can call 101.

They deal with stolen or damaged property, non-urgent crimes and suspected drug dealing.

The NHS recently paired up with Trigger Happy TV star Dom Joly to plug their non-emergency 111 phone line.

Catch our interview with him about the campaign here.