A guide for *deaf and speech impaired people

deaf includes British Sign Language (BSL) users, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing people.

Text: 07717 99 32 62

Lothian and Borders Police SMS service allows registered deaf and speech impaired people to use their mobile phones to contact the police, by texting the number: 07717 993262. This is not a ‘999’ emergency service.

What is SMS text messaging?
SMS stands for ‘short messaging service’.
This is provided by mobile phone networks to allow users to send text messages to each other. Lothian and Borders Police SMS service is only available to deaf or speech impaired persons who are registered with this service. This service relies on mobile phone networks, therefore text messages cannot be guaranteed to arrive quickly. In an emergency please use another way of contacting the police, such as textphone or typetalk.

How do I use the police SMS service?
Send a text to 07717 99 32 62 and include:

Your name
Where you are
Where the incident is taking place
What is happening (brief details)

Questions?

How will I know the police have received my text?
A text message will be sent back to your mobile phone, confirming that the police have received your text.

What happens if I do not register?
The service is only available to registered users. The Force Communications Centre will not process messages from unregistered callers.

What if I do not want to use this service?
The existing typetalk and textphone services will still be available.
You must register to use this service. If you have not registered your text will not be accepted.

How do I register?

Complete a registration form (PDF, 148Kb)

Textphone
Edinburgh: 0131 311 3944
Hawick: 01450 364 471
In an emergency, typetalk 18000

Please send completed forms to: tdiv.admin@lbp.pnn.police.uk