Disabled helped to text 999 crews

Deaf and speech-impaired people are to be able to text the emergency services for help under a new initiative.

People can send a text starting with the word "police", "medic", or "rescue", followed by their message, and get immediate help. The number is being unveiled by Kent Police on Tuesday afternoon.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Harris said people could alert 999 crews without the "problems that could be linked to conventional methods". Mr Harris added: "With technology moving forward all the time, it's vital that we use the latest and most efficient means of communication for everybody in our local communities."

Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire, said it would "empower deaf and speech impaired people to gain quick and easy access to emergency services where and when they need to". And she said the project was "a great example for the rest of the country".

Posters and leaflets advertising the scheme, set up by the police, council and fire services in Kent, are being distributed across the county.

Steve Griffiths, assistant director of Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It is really important to us that deaf people are able to contact us quickly and easily if they need our help. This new service is a great solution."