PEOPLE with hearing and speech impairments can now text the emergency services if they spot danger or a crime being committed.

West Mercia police launched the Emergency Text Service yesterday, which is designed for people who cannot make 999 calls.

Deaf Direct has estimated 140,000 people in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire will benefit.

The texted information would receive the same urgent response as a 999 call.

Supt John Jones explained the new system had been under development for 12 months, and was modelled on a similar initiative operated by West Midlands Constabulary.

"There is nothing more important than responding to someone's emergency, and this service will help people with hearing problems contact us quickly," said Mr Jones.

He urged potential users to pick up a leaflet telling them what information to include so the services could respond effectively.

Mr Jones stressed that it was for emergencies when an immediate response was essential.

Non-emergencies should be reported to the police in the usual manner. But he also said users should feel confident using the service.

"We would never be critical of someone who used it if they felt it was the appropriate. The message is: use the service, and we will respond. We can think about it afterwards," he said.

The police call centre will handle all texts, but they will contact the fire and ambulance services as required.

He had a warning for hoax texters, who could face six months in jail and a £2,500 fine.

"We can trace mobiles and catch up with the users. Persistent offenders could also find their phone number blocked and completely unusable," he said.

Hayley Turner, of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, said it had asked West Mercia Constabulary for some type of contact system in August 2003.

"One of the ladies that I work with had a window smashed, and to contact the police she had to contact me so I could let the police know. This would have given her the independence to report it herself," said Ms Turner.

Ms Turner predicted there would not be a take-up of the service overnight, but it was comforting to know it existed, and she would be advertising it to RNIB members.

Director of Deaf Direct, Philip Gerrard, said the service showed what could be achieved by interest groups working in tandem with authorities.

"It is excellent news that deaf people can now contact the emergency services themselves," said Mr Gerrard.

Leaflets can be picked up from police stations, RNID offices throughout the county and the Deaf Direct office in Castle Street, Worcester, and Penn House, Broad Street, Hereford.