A new service to help those hard of hearing or deaf contact the police in a non-emergency has been launched by Dorset Police.

British Sign Language users who need to contact the police can now use SignLive, who will translate the discussion and relay this information to the force's contact centre.

The new service will hopefully improve engagement with people who are wanting to contact the police but may struggle using some of the more traditional methods of contact.

Anyone wanting to use the service should download the app or visit SignLive where they can select Dorset Police from the list of organisations.

A video conversation will begin between a BSL interpreter and user, the interpreter will then contact the force directly and relay the message. Both the user and interpreter will stay on the call with the police for as long as required allowing further questions to be asked and more information provided if needed.

The service also enables the police to call the user back should they need more help or to follow up.

ACC Sam de Raya, from Dorset Police, said: "We are really pleased to launch this service and provide an innovate way to improve our contact channels to people who are deaf/hard of hearing.

"This opportunity to work alongside the professional interpreters from SignLive will enable us to reach out to those who may not have been able to contact us so easily in the past.

"We hope that this enables British Sign Language users to feel more comfortable in contacting us.

"There are now many ways people can contact us without needing to call, these include using our online crime reporting form, requesting a call back and emailing questions and reports to our 101 email - [email protected]

"We hope the variety of channels will make contacting the police easy and accessible to all."

This service should only be used for non-emergencies.

In an emergency people who use British Sign Language should send an SMS/test to 999. People must register before using this service, to register, visit the Emergency SMS website