Emergency text service for the deaf extended

A free service that enables deaf people to alert emergency services by text message is to be introduced in more UK counties.

In March 2007, 54,000 people were registered as deaf in England and 164,600 registered as hard of hearing.

Since 2004, deaf and speech-impaired people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have been able to text 80999 to alert the police, ambulance and fire services.

This week the service has been extended to people in Dorset, Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

Liz Jones, chief executive officer for Hampshire Deaf Association, said: "The expansion of the 80999 emergency text number across the South West is an exciting development in providing equitable provision to emergency services for deaf and speech-impaired people living in this area."

A few police forces already run emergency text services, but they tend to require people to pre-register their details and have a standard 11-digit mobile number, which can make things difficult for deaf and speech-impaired people.

This is the first emergency text service that doesn't require people to register.

The text messages are received directly by an emergency control room. The controller then calls for assistance as required from any of the emergency services.

The number is not designed for general use and the police say anyone misusing it will have their mobiles disabled.

Both Dorset Police and the Avon Fire Service have warned, however, that there could be problems with the service as people will not know if their text message has been received.

Both said: “As with any text messaging system, no text messages are guaranteed to arrive quickly, and the service relies on the mobile phone companies and the network.

“A person using the service will know their message has been received only when they receive a reply. Until a reply is received, it is advisable to try other ways to contact the emergency services.”

The Home Office is also currently working on a national project to introduce a National Emergency Text number, which is due to be developed over the next two years. This will eventually replace the 80999 service.