Semilong Neighbourhood Watch
Community Messages
[NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COMMUNITY MESSAGING - Northamptonshire West - 16.11.09 - WB/CMS/1282/09 - All NHW - GNS]
This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to all members of Neighbourhood Watch in Northamptonshire.
Northamptonshire Police is committed to providing a service that is accessible to everyone.
The force has recently introduced a dedicated SMS text messaging service for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or with speech impairment. Once registered, users are given a text number enabling them to text reports of any non-emergency incidents or non-urgent queries they have.
Upon receipt of a text message, staff in the Force Communications Centre will respond via text message too.
Lynn Coppin, Customer Relations Officer for the Force Communications Centre, said:
"We are 100% committed to providing a service accessible to everybody in Northamptonshire.
"We are encouraging more people to sign-up to this service, which they can do by texting us on 07843 291924, by emailing CommsCentreCustomerRelations@northants.police.uk or via Text Relay on 18001 01604 432521. "This is for non-urgent incidents or enquiries only."
In an emergency, people still need to call 999, or if they have TextRelay, the contact numbers are: Emergency 18000 or non-urgent 18001 01604 432521.
It is hoped that in time the service will be rolled out to include emergency calls, with a national pilot scheme now underway to assess this possibility.
The pilot for including emergency calls in the service is being supported by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, who have been working with the National Policing Improvement Agency and telecommunications companies.
If the trials are a success it is hoped the national emergency SMS service will be launched in 2010.
Thank you
Ref: WB/CMS/1282/09
**Northamptonshire Police Contact Details**
Emergency: 999
Dedicated Watch Line: 01604 XXXXXXX
Northamptonshire Police Switchboard: 101
Alternatively Call Crime Stoppers Anonymously: 0800 555 111 |
