A woman called 999 because she paid the wrong amount for a bottle of fruit squash.
Bizarre on Female First
Northumbria Police are asking people to be careful with emergency calls after an unnamed woman phoned 999 because she couldn't get through to Morrisons supermarket to let them know she was charged the wrong amount for a bottle of ''fruit and barley''.
Speaking on the call the woman said: ''It [The squash] was two for £1.20, or two for £1.50, and he's only given me one fruit and barley. I'm trying to reach Morrisons and I can't get through - they keep hanging up.''
The operator responds: ''This is not a police matter and it's certainly not a 999 emergency. This is a mistake on behalf of the shop. Just go and speak to customer service about it.''
Chief Superintendent Supt Neil Hutchison released a statement saying: ''Calls like these might seem harmless and even funny, but they create a huge demand on the staff working in the communications centre who could otherwise be busy dealing with genuine emergencies.''