Although police agreed that the lack of both hard and soft taco shells was “truly a travesty”, they said it was out of their control.

Officers at Slidell Police Department in the US state of Louisiana shared the story in a Facebook post that has since gone viral.

They added that they hoped the Taco Bell outlet would replenish its stocks “in time for Taco Tuesday”.

Some commenters on Facebook stood up for the caller, with one writing: “They were absolutely right in calling. I went yesterday and yes, they were out completely. I told the lady to just change the name to Burrito / Nacho Bell.”