Police in London forced entry to an art gallery to rescue a woman they'd had reports was "unconscious" inside the building.
But instead, she actually turned out to just be a mannequin.
After going to the trouble of breaking into the building, officers discovered the lifeless woman they had been trying to save was in fact part of an art installation titled 'Kristina' - which was commissioned by Banksy's former agent Steve Lazarides, who is now the owner and dealer at art gallery Laz Emporium in West London.
The eye-catching - and apparently, trouble-causing - art installation sits in the window of the gallery, and features a woman in a bright yellow hoody and trainers, who is slumped face forward in a bowl of soup, with her long blonde hair hiding her face from the public.
Based on Mr Lazarides' sister, the realistic sculpture was created by American artist Mark Jenkins.
Metropolitan Police said in a statement on the incident that they were responding to a call about a "person in distress" at the gallery on 25 November, Sky News reports.
But when officers forced entry to the address, they uncovered that the person, was in fact, a mannequin.
Police break into art gallery to rescue 'unconscious' woman that ended up being a mannequin / Credit: Laz Emporium
Recalling the events of the bizarre incident, Mr Lazarides explained: "Hannah who was working in the gallery that day had just locked up and gone upstairs to make a cup of tea.
"She came down to find the door off its hinges and two confused police officers."
Believe it or not - although it's probably not that hard to believe - this isn't the first time the installation has caused a bit of mayhem in a similar situation, as apparently back in October, other concerned members of the public also called 999 to assist the woman, with paramedics also attending to realise she wasn't real.
Reckon this is all a part of the message of the art? We're not too sure - but it's certainly got people talking, that's for certain.
Featured Image - Laz Emporium
Trending
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Channel 4 is looking for adult virgins with ‘intimacy issues’ for next series of hit reality show
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before.
First hitting screens back in 2024 and having run for two successful seasons now, Virgin Island follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
You can find out more and register your interest here.
Emily Sergeant -
13th December 2022 
