THE Redditch branch of a national charity is calling for West Mercia Police to set up a system to help deaf or hard of hearing victims of crime.

The town arm of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf is also appealing for people to write letters supporting their call, which will then be passed on to the force.

The move follows a recent burglary in Chedworth Close, Church Hill, which left a deaf and disabled woman with no means of communication.

Thieves took her mobile phone, her only means of contact via the text messaging system, as well as other items including her television, video, purse, Gameboy and inhaler.

A spokesman for the charity, which is based in East Moons Moat, said: "West Midlands police have a system where people can press a number on their mobile which is registered with the police so they know the person calling is deaf or hard of hearing.

"But there is no such system in the West Mercia region, which means people are vulnerable."

The spokesman added: "Many deaf and hard of hearing people have mobile phones because of the text messaging system and the more people we have behind us, the more chance we have of getting this system set up."

To support the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, write to 25 Amex Business Centre, Oxleasow Road, Redditch B98 0RE.