Emergency text service for deaf expands

A text-based emergency services contact service for deaf and speech impaired people is being extended to cover more of the UK, following successful trials in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Later this month, the 80999 number which routes messages directly into police control rooms that in turn relay the details to the relevant emergency service will be taken up by four more forces in the South West of England.

Joining Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are the police services for Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall and Wiltshire. The service is seen as critical for educating users ahead of the launch of the National Emergency Text number currently being worked on by the Home Office. It will supercede the 80999 number when it becomes operational in the coming years.

"Building on the success in Hampshire to date, the expansion of the 80999 emergency text number across the South West in an exciting development in providing equitable provision to emergency services for deaf and speech impaired people living in this area," said Liz Jones, chief executive of the Hamsphire Deaf Association.

"HDA is delighted to be associated with this initiative and look forward to seeing its launch on a national level."

The extension of the 80999 service coincides with the British Deaf Association's Learn to Sign Week, also builds on the foundations created by Hampshire Constabulary's Police Link Officers for Deaf People (PLOD) an initiative that has been in place for almost a decade.

Sergeant Glen Barham MBE from Hampshire Constabulary added: "I am really excited to be part of the expansion of this service, which has been very successful here in Hampshire and will no doubt be just as successful in the four other force areas joining us.

"This mobile text service gives reassurance to people who cannot use voice telecommunications and reduces a significant barrier in an emergency situation."