Hampshire Constabulary

The national trial for the 999 emergency text number began on Monday, September 14. Click here for more information on this service.

When Did PLOD Start?

Whilst studying British Sign Language Stage 1, Sergeant Glen Barham first considered that access to the police for deaf and hard of hearing people could be improved. Sharing his views with Sergeant Lynne Fanton, the idea of the Link Officers was born.


After meetings with members of the deaf community in October, 1999, Hampshire Constabulary launched Police Link Officers for Deaf people … or PLOD for short!

Since then, the Link Officers have been working with other police forces to promote Link Schemes, and already there are PLOD schemes set up in Guernsey, Avon & Somerset and Link Officers in the Metropolitan Police (selected Boroughs). West Midlands Police have a scheme inspired by Hampshire's PLOD scheme entitled "Deaf Community Police Link Officers".

Why have PLOD?

Police Link Officers for Deaf people aim to promote equality of access to the police for people who are deaf, deafblind, deafened and hard of hearing in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

We recognise that access means much more than how you get into a building or up the stairs! Access includes access to information and access to service. Whether you use Sign Language, Deafblind Manual or Lipread, the Link Officers are available to assist.

As well as being available for advice and information, the Link Officers also work to improve access to other areas of the constabulary with special projects … such as the Custody Project and Emergency SMS Text Service – see below for more details.

Who are the Link Officers?

The Link Officers and the areas they serve are shown below. The PLOD role is carried on in addition to their full time position within the constabulary. The officers work different shifts and provide a non-emergency point of contact. For Emergency Contact – please see below.

All Link Officers can be contacted by email at:deaf.link@hampshire.pnn.police.uk or by post to:

Police Link Officers for Deaf people
Community Safety Department
Police Headquarters
West Hill
Romsey Road
Winchester
Hampshire
SO22 5DB

South West Hampshire: Sgt Glen Barham MBE

Glen is a Sergeant with the Road Death Investigation Team. In August 2007, he was awarded the NVQ Level 4 in British Sign Language having attended a course at the Centre for Deaf Studies, University of Sussex. Glen also has the CACDP (Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf people) Certificates in Deaf Awareness and Deafblind Awareness, and uses the Deafblind Manual Alphabet which is a hands-on method of communicating with deafblind people.

• New Forest
• Southampton
• Shirley
• Portswood
• Romsey
• Eastleigh
• Hedge End
• Bitterne
• Netley

To Contact Glen:
Mobile/SMS: 07769 881144
Mobile Fax: 07769 889027
Email: deaf.link@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

South East Hampshire: Sergeant Lynne Fanton

Lynne is a Police Sergeant in Central Hampshire. She has the Stage 2 Certificate in British Sign Language, CACDP Certificates in Deaf Awareness and Deafblind Awareness. Lynne is also a Level 2 Qualified Lipspeaker.

Lynne is the PLOD Officer for:

• Winchester
• Alresford
• Twyford
• Fareham
• Portsmouth
• Waterlooville
• Havant
• Bishops Waltham

To Contact Lynne:
Mobile/SMS: 07769 885973
Mobile Fax: 07769 889061
Email: deaf.link@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

North Hampshire: PC Tony Stuart

Tony is a beat officer in Yateley. He has Stage 1 Certificate in British Sign Language, and has previously spent many years working with the RNID and RNIB before joining the constabulary. Tony is the PLOD officer for:

• Fleet
• Yateley
• Aldershot
• Alton
• Liphook
• Farnborough
• Petersfield

To Contact Tony:
Mobile/SMS: 07769 885917
Mobile Fax: 07769 889054
Email: deaf.link@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

Isle of Wight: PC Gary May

PC Gary May is the PLOD officer for the Isle of Wight, and has completed the Stage 1 Certificate in British Sign Language.

To contact Gary:
Mobile/SMS: 07795 301123
Mobile Fax: 07795 307063
Email: deaf.link@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

Corporate Communications Officer: Liz Harding

Liz is the Corporate Communications Officer for Portsmouth OCU. She has a Stage 2 certificate in British Sign Language. Liz also has a Level 1 certificate in Deaf Awareness. She provides support to the PLOD scheme with internal and external communications, and public relations.

Police HQ PLOD Coordinator:Cliff Parker

Cliff is the Diverse Communities Officer (Disability) and is based at police headquarters in Winchester.

To contact Cliff:
Mobile/SMS: 07769 936235
Telephone: 01962 871369
Email: community.safety@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

SMS – Short Message Service

Below is the the Press Release from December, 2004. The Project Coordinator is Sergeant Glen Barham MBE.

Emergency SMS (Text) Service - 80999

Deaf and speech impaired people across the two counties now have access to a new service launched on Friday, December 10, 2004. This now allows them to text for help in an emergency.

Deaf people and those with a speech impairment will be able to contact all four emergency services by texting one number. The texts will go to the police control room in Netley and the information will then be passed on to the other emergency services.

A few police forces already run emergency text services, but they tend to require people to pre-register their details and have a standard 11-digit mobile number, which can make things difficult for deaf and speech impaired people. This is the first emergency text service where people don’t have to register and has a speed text 5-digit number - 80999. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has now asked the force to develop the system so one number can be used nationally.

Hampshire Deputy Chief Constable Ian Readhead said:

“We’re delighted to be taking the national lead on developing this technology, which will help so many people. We are working hard to make sure everyone in our communities has equal access to our services and this is part of that commitment.

Police Link Officer for Deaf people, Sgt Glen Barham, who has been involved in developing the system, said: “Hampshire Police Link Officers for Deaf people provide an excellent service for the deaf community, but it is not suitable for emergencies. In the past deaf people and speech impaired people who were involved in an emergency would have to find another person to try to make them understand that they needed help. This new service is a big step forward in improving access to the emergency services for deaf people.”

Hampshire Deaf Association Chief Executive Lynn Palmer said:

"The emergency text service is an exciting and encouraging step forward for deaf and speech impaired people in an area that has proved difficult in the past. Hampshire Constabulary and the Police Link Officers for Deaf People should be congratulated in using new technology to reach out to the deaf community. Hampshire Deaf Association was pleased to be involved in testing the service during its pilot run earlier this year. Personally, I will be reassured to know that I can summon help in an emergency at any time of the day via my mobile."

Leaflets have been produced to help explain to deaf people and speech impaired people how to use the service, including what information they need to give when they send an emergency text).

This is an important service. Hampshire Constabulary will take action against anyone misusing the system or sending false texts. 

You can download the leaflet here (.pdf, 751KB).

When texting the emergency controller, REMEMBER:

What? What is the problem.

Which? Need Police, Fire Rescue, Ambulance, Coastguard.

Where? Give name of road and townPlus more information like: House number; or Outside Post Office; or Near Bus Station.

Interpreters

Police Link Officers for Deaf people are not Interpreters. The Officers will use their skills to assist in enquiries, provide advice and information or gain early information to the best of their ability, but they do not provide interpreting for evidential procedures.


Sign language users:
For evidential procedures, such as taking statements from witnesses or victims, interviewing deaf suspects or a Deaf person acting as an Appropriate Adult for a hearing juvenile, the police should engage the services of an independent qualified Interpreter wherever possible.

Hampshire Constabulary engage CACDP registered BSL Interpreters – Members of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters.

Lipreading:

If you are used to using professional Lipspeakers, Hampshire Constabulary can (subject to availability) engage the services of a qualified Lipspeaker for evidential procedures. Ask the Officer to contact a Lipspeaker.

Interpreters and Lipspeakers for evidential procedures are paid for from public funds. This means that deaf people do not have to pay for the use of an Interpreter.

What is an emergency?

When:

• Life is at risk;
• Crime/Trouble is happening now;
• Someone is injured or threatened;
• Person committing crime is near;
• There is a fire or people trapped;
• You need an ambulance urgently;
• Someone in trouble at sea.

Emergency contact numbers

Here are the contact numbers for Hampshire Constabulary. These numbers are for emergencies within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Hampshire Constabulary will pass emergency calls to Hampshire Ambulance Service, Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service and to H M Coastguard.

• Minicom numbers are for Textphone Users
• Special telephones used to type to another textphone user

TextDirect for Minicom UsersEmergency Relay Service 18000

Police 24 hour Fax 01962 874201

Emergency SMS – Mobile Text Service 80999*

Emergency Voice Calls 999

It is important with SMS Text 80999 to also try other ways to contact the Emergency Services.

* No text messages are guaranteed to arrive quickly. We rely on the Mobile Phone Companies and the Network. Hampshire Constabulary cannot be held responsible for delays in receiving messages. You will know your message has been received ONLY when you get a reply. Until you get a reply, try other ways to contact the Emergency Services.

Non emergency contact numbers