‘Pizza Order’ call leads Sharjah Police to rescue woman in distress

Sharjah Police successfully rescued an expatriate woman after she used a coded request during a call to the emergency hotline, prompting officers to recognise that she was seeking help while unable to speak openly.

The incident was revealed by Captain Majid Al Bas, Head of the Communications Operations Branch at Sharjah Police, during the "Aman Ya Biladi" programme.

According to officials, the woman contacted the police emergency centre and repeatedly asked to order a pizza, despite being informed that she had reached the 999 emergency line. The unusual request immediately raised suspicion among dispatch personnel.

The duty officer handling the call, Khamis, sensed that the caller was under pressure and unable to explain her situation directly. To avoid alerting anyone who might have been nearby, he continued the conversation as though he were taking a genuine food order while discreetly assessing the circumstances.

Through a series of coded questions, the dispatcher gathered important information about the situation. The woman's responses suggested that more than one person was present at the location, enabling police to better evaluate the potential risk.

While keeping the caller engaged, the officer alerted supervisors and initiated emergency procedures to identify her location. The operations centre quickly traced the call and dispatched patrol units to the address.

Upon arrival, officers found the woman facing threats from her husband, who was reportedly in an unstable condition. Police intervened immediately, secured the scene and ensured the victim's safety.

Captain Al Bas said the incident highlights the importance of specialised training for emergency call handlers, enabling them to recognise indirect pleas for assistance and respond effectively when victims cannot openly ask for help.

He added that coded requests for assistance are recognised internationally and that Sharjah Police personnel are trained to identify behavioural and verbal indicators that may signal danger during emergency calls.

Sharjah Police urged the public to use emergency channels responsibly, noting that the Operations Centre remains available around the clock through the 999 emergency line, the 901 non-emergency service and various security monitoring systems.

Officials said the swift rescue demonstrates the effectiveness of coordination between dispatchers and field units, as well as the readiness of emergency teams to protect those in danger.