'999 lift' for Top Yard man's friend

A senior police officer allegedly commandeered an ambulance for a female NHS executive on New Year's Day and ordered staff to take her home.

An investigation has been launched into the incident during which the pair, who are friends, were said to be verbally abusive.

The officer, who has not been named, was near Trafalgar Square with the woman when he saw the St John ambulance. He approached the crew, who were assisting the London Ambulance Service (LAS) on one of the busiest nights of the year, and told them to take the woman home. When they refused, he identified himself as a police officer. According to a health source, he persisted and asked the crew to phone London Ambulance control.

The source said: "When this was done the man identified himself and the woman to control and insisted that the ambulance must take her home. It was decided to take the woman home because of who she was.

"It seems that the general public must not use ambulances as a taxi service but it is perfectly proper for senior police officers and NHS executives to regard it as such."

Last month LAS launched an awareness campaign urging people not to use ambulances for trivial matters following an alarming rise in the number of unnecessary 999 calls.

A spokesman for the service today said the decision to "give in" to the officer was taken because the crew felt "cornered". He added: "The people were verbally abusive. The crew decided to do something because they were afraid for their own well-being."

A Scotland Yard spokesman said no complaint has yet been made against the officer, although he could face disciplinary action. He added: "It could be that the officer took this decision because the woman was dangerously drunk and that an ambulance was required. But, if the circumstances were as described, it would be an inappropriate way for an officer to behave."

The officer's rank has not been revealed but he is described as being "of significant seniority". LAS is launching a joint inquiry with St John Ambulance.

Peter Bradley, chief executive of LAS, said: "Committing ambulances to calls where they are not required can put the lives of other patients at risk."