Text police for 999 help

***Alex*** · 02-09-2005, 02:55 PM

Thousands of people in Worcestershire will be able to text police for help instead of dialling 999 in an emergency under a new pioneering scheme.

They will be able to send text messages to West Mercia Police central management for help from officers as well as fire and ambulance crews.

West Mercia Police has become one of the first in the country to introduce a short-code text message number.

The special life-saving service could help thousands of people and particularly those who are deaf or have hearing or speech problems.

In the past some people have faced difficulties or been unable to dial 999 in an emergency.

Charities such as Deaf Direct have been calling for help in easing the plight of the 140,000 people in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire who are thought to have some form of hearing loss.

The force is introducing the service with backing from Deaf Direct, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf and all the emergency services.

Mobile phone company Vodafone has supported the scheme financially but it has also been made available across all networks.

Charity groups and police stations are being used to help promote the new service.

Leaflets giving the text number and containing a wallet or purse-sized plastic reminder card are now being handed out to callers at local police stations.

Supt John Jones said: "Nothing is more important than responding to an emergency. The text message number could provide a life-saving service.

Mr Philip Gerrard, director of Deaf Direct, said: "We are delighted that the need for easily accessible emergency services has been recognised."

Police have warned anyone thinking of sending hoax emergency text messages that the penalty for doing so is up to six months imprisonment and a fine of up to £2,500.

Officers also have the ability to trace and block mobile phones.

From Express & Star

02-09-2005, 02:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
*Alex* Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,413 Blog Entries: 1	Text police for 999 help Thousands of people in Worcestershire will be able to text police for help instead of dialling 999 in an emergency under a new pioneering scheme. They will be able to send text messages to West Mercia Police central management for help from officers as well as fire and ambulance crews. West Mercia Police has become one of the first in the country to introduce a short-code text message number. The special life-saving service could help thousands of people and particularly those who are deaf or have hearing or speech problems. In the past some people have faced difficulties or been unable to dial 999 in an emergency. Charities such as Deaf Direct have been calling for help in easing the plight of the 140,000 people in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire who are thought to have some form of hearing loss. The force is introducing the service with backing from Deaf Direct, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf and all the emergency services. Mobile phone company Vodafone has supported the scheme financially but it has also been made available across all networks. Charity groups and police stations are being used to help promote the new service. Leaflets giving the text number and containing a wallet or purse-sized plastic reminder card are now being handed out to callers at local police stations. Supt John Jones said: "Nothing is more important than responding to an emergency. The text message number could provide a life-saving service. Mr Philip Gerrard, director of Deaf Direct, said: "We are delighted that the need for easily accessible emergency services has been recognised." Police have warned anyone thinking of sending hoax emergency text messages that the penalty for doing so is up to six months imprisonment and a fine of up to £2,500. Officers also have the ability to trace and block mobile phones. From Express & Star

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