Emergency contact for people with hearing or speech impairment

Emergency Text Service - 65999

We provide a mobile phone Text Service for deaf people and speech impaired people and those who cannot use a voice telephone.

To use the 65999 number simply state whether the emergency service required is 'police', 'fire', 'ambulance' or 'coastguard' by typing the relevant word. Then type details of the nature of the emergency, along with the exact location, and send the message to 65999.

The message is then sent to Sussex Police Control, who deal with the request on behalf of the emergency services. As soon as they receive the text, Police Control reply to confirm that they've received the message and may ask more questions.

When texting the Emergency Controller, remember:

What? What is the problem

Which? Need Police/Fire Rescue/Ambulance/Coastguard

Where? Give name of road and town, plus any other relevant information such as:
- house number
- outside Post Office
- near Bus Station.

IMPORTANT: Also try other ways to contact the emergency services as text messages are not guaranteed to arrive quickly.