Dialogue Communications allows deaf people to text police

A unique text messaging service from Dialogue Communications is helping deaf people to communicate with the police service in Northumbria.

Northumbria Police is one of the first forces to adopt the service, which could provide vital help to the 9 million deaf people in the UK.

The service from Dialogue Communications, a mobile solutions specialist, allows deaf, hearing impaired and speech impaired residents to text a predefined mobile number 0778 6200 815.

When the SMS message is sent it is converted into an email and delivered to the police communications centre. A return SMS will be received within seconds, confirming that the text has been passed to the police. The police will reply to the message within 24 hours.

Superintendent Derek Scott, of Northumbria Police stresses that the service should be used for non-emergency incidents only. The 999 service should still be used in an emergency situation.

Dialogue Communications is one of the UK’s fastest growing mobile service providers for interactive mobile solutions and SMS aggregation. It has offices in London and Sheffield.