Doncaster Council

Partnership launches new texting scheme

The Safer Doncaster Partnership is piloting a texting initiative which will give residents another way of accessing the range of community safety services provided by the Council and its partner agencies.

Texting is now a popular way for people of all ages to communicate and it is hoped that this scheme will encourage more people to access important information.

By sending a quick text to 83010 residents can request drug and alcohol advice, alongside reporting incidents of vandalism or even report a broken street light. 

There is already the Safer Doncaster TV network which is proving a popular medium to communicate community safety messages, so the introduction of a texting service will hopefully open up these vital services to even more residents.

How the scheme works is that residents can text the number 83010 followed by a keyword, such as FLAG or SMART and they will then be contacted within five working days by that service or agency. 

As long as the text begins with the keyword it can contain as much or as little detail as the sender wishes.  For example, if they want to report something such as graffiti or vandalism they can give the location and details and not have to leave a name if they do not wish to. However, in most cases in order to access services they will need to leave a name and further details so that they can be called back.

An automated response is immediately sent to the sender telling that they will be contacted within five working days and that if their call is an emergency they should dial 999.

The 10 keywords that residents can begin their text with are:

• Text SMART – for information about SmartWater

• Text ALLEY – for problems relating to alley gates

• Text GARAGE – to access information about drugs services

• Text ALCOHOL – to access information about alcohol services

• Text SYFIRE – to contact South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (non emergency)

• Text SNT – to contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team (non emergency) 

• Text NRT  – to contact the Neighbourhood Response Team (non emergency)  

• Text FLAG – to report incidents of litter, abandoned cars and graffiti 

• Text WATCH – to contact Neighbourhood Watch

• Text LIGHT – to report a broken street light