A LIFE-SAVING messaging system founded in West Mercia is set to be adopted by several other police forces across the UK.
West Mercia Police teamed up with charities Missing People and Samaritans for the pilot back in 2011 to launch Suicide Textsafe.
It reaches out to missing adults and children who may be at risk of serious harm or suicide.
The service allows officers responding to a report of a missing adult or child to notify Missing People which sends out an independent message offering advice and support from a Samaritan.
Supt Gareth Morgan, West Mercia Police’s Missing Person Lead, said: “For several years we have seen the benefits of this system across the counties covered by the force, with the service assisting those who are vulnerable or are reported missing and potentially in crisis.
“It is an excellent example of partnership working and I am pleased that many more forces across the UK are coming on board.”
The announcement about the potential roll-out came last Friday, September 10, which was World Suicide Prevention Day.
