Text service to help young crime victims

A new texting system providing support to victims of crime was launched today.

The scheme is being rolled out by the National Crime Victims’ Helpline and is aimed at young people who might be short of credit on their mobiles.

Helpline staff will return the call once they receive the text.

Maeve Ryan, CVH service co-ordinator, said: “We are trying to meet the needs of younger people by providing this service, and especially people who are short of credit on their phone.

“Many mobile phone users have access to free texts, so even if they are out of credit they can now contact our new number and ask us to call them back.

“When we receive a text we will return the call promptly, or at a particular time requested by the caller.”

The new phone number for texts is 085 1337711 and can be accessed from all mobiles and internet texting accounts.

The helpline had 2,413 contacts last year, up a fifth on 2007. The rise in numbers has continued into 2009.