An angry Tesco customer called 999 after he mistakenly bought alcohol-free gin and tonic.
The disgruntled shopper told the police he was so angry about the fumbled purchase – which cost him £6 – that he would get arrested.
In the recording released by Hertfordshire Police, the man says: “I’ve just gone in there and they’ve got these miniature Gordon’s gin with tonic, it’s in the alcohol section.
“I’m going over to the park, because it’s nice and cool, and I’m sitting in shade and I look at it, it’s zero alcohol. And it’s in the alcohol section, so they all look the same.
“I just brought it back and [the Tesco staff member] says ‘you’ve already drank one’, I said okay, I’ll pay for that one, can I exchange the other ones? It cost me £6 because I haven’t got a Tesco card.”
The call handler tells the shopper that the incident is “not a police matter,” to which he replies: “I’m really angry, so I’ll get arrested… because I’m not having it.
“I’ve just paid them six quid for non-alcoholic gin and tonic.”
The call handler recommends the man speak “calmly” to Tesco management, advising against his idea to shoplift an alcoholic beverage instead.
Hertfordshire Police said they released the recording to warn the public not to waste the force’s time during an extremely busy time.
A force spokesperson said: “While this call may seem amusing, the serious side of it is that this individual called 999 and took up the time of one of our call handlers who could have been helping someone in genuine need – potentially even a life-or-death situation.
“Our incredibly hard-working and ever patient call handlers are not here to answer calls about issues that are not police related. Other recent examples have included individuals dialling 999 to ask us about taxi services, what time it is and even reporting that the timer on their microwave was not working!
“During this prolonged period of hot weather and heatwaves we have been busier than ever before, so we really need the public to support us by only using 999 in a genuine emergency.
“Of course, if it’s an emergency don’t hesitate to call and we’ll get help to you as quickly as possible and if it’s a non-emergency that police should know about, please consider using our online reporting options.”
Each day, around 568 calls to 999 and 565 calls to the non-emergency 101 number come into the constabulary’s Force Communications Room (FCR) at police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City.
Around one-third of those calls should have been directed elsewhere – to councils or other organisations.
