A coded “pizza delivery” request made to Sharjah Police’s emergency hotline led to the swift rescue of an expatriate woman who was unable to directly seek help while reportedly under threat at home, authorities said.
The incident was recounted by Captain Majid Al Bas, Head of the Communications Operations Branch, during the Sharjah Police program Aman Ya Biladi.
It began when an emergency dispatcher received a call from a woman who repeatedly insisted she was calling to “order a pizza,” despite being informed she had reached the police emergency center.
Sensing that the caller was speaking under duress, the duty officer, identified as Khamis, recognized the unusual request as a possible disguised plea for help. While the woman maintained the pizza-order cover, her tone and responses suggested she could not speak freely.
To avoid alerting anyone nearby, the dispatcher continued the conversation as if taking a real order while subtly asking coded questions. When asked how many pizzas were needed, the woman said “one,” and when asked about drinks, she replied “two”—details that helped authorities assess the situation.
Khamis immediately alerted his supervisor and initiated emergency tracing procedures. The operations center was able to identify the caller’s location in Sharjah, prompting the deployment of field units.
Police later found the woman being threatened by her husband, who was reportedly in an “abnormal state” during the intervention. Officers secured the scene and ensured her safety.
Captain Al Bas said the case highlights the importance of training emergency personnel to recognize indirect distress signals, especially in situations where victims cannot speak openly.
Sharjah Police reiterated that its emergency line (999) remains open for urgent cases, while non-emergency services are handled through 901, emphasizing responsible use of emergency channels to ensure rapid response.
