PEOPLE with hearing and speech problems could find that a new emergency services initiative is a lifesaver.

Anyone who is deaf or has speech or hearing impairments and cannot dial 999 in an emergency can now text West Mercia Constabulary's call management centre for help from the police, fire or ambulance services.

The force has teamed up with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service to launch the service, which went live on Monday.

Supt John Jones, of West Mercia Constabulary, said: "We are committed to ensuring that our services are accessible to all and nothing is more important than responding to an emergency.

"The text message number could provide a life-saving service.

"People should only send a text message for the same reason anyone else might dial 999 - to report a crime in progress, a situation where life is at risk, if someone needs urgent medical help or if there is a fire."

West Mercia is one of the first forces nationally to introduce a short-code text message number.

The scheme has been developed with support from the charity, Deaf Direct, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf - RNID.

The service is available across all mobile networks, although it has received financial support from Vodafone.

How the system works is that a normal text message is sent to a five-digit telephone number.

This message is converted into an e-mail and delivered to a call taker in the force's call management centre.

Police, fire or ambulance staff are then despatched to the incident in the usual manner.

The caller receives a text message to confirm that their message has been delivered and help is on its way.

Promotion of the new service will be carried out through charity groups, police stations and other sites used by people with hearing and speech difficulties.

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

"There are approximately 140,000 people living in Worcestershire, Shropshire and Herefordshire with some form of hearing loss and who could benefit in an emergency."

Leaflets giving the text number and containing a wallet or purse-sized plastic reminder card are available.

Information about the scheme has also been placed on the force's website. The address is www.westmercia.police.uk

Details will also be included in future on force documents, including the annual report.

Police have warned that anyone considering sending hoax emergency text messages faces penalties of up to six months' imprisonment and a fine that could be as high as £2,500.

The force can also trace and block mobile phones, preventing their future use for any purpose.