EMERGENCY services in North Yorkshire are ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology to help respond to emergency callouts.

According to a report issued by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), people should be allowed to appeal for help through apps or text messages.

The changing pace of technology means the police, fire, ambulance service and coastguard should "reflect the digital age" and make sure they can be connected through social media rather than over the phone.

The 999 emergency call service was introduced in London in 1937, and Prof Will Stewart, chairman of the IET's communications policy panel, said the need for an updated service was now "critical".

He said: "A girl alone in a minicab who becomes worried about her personal safety might feel unable to make a call on her mobile phone - but could send a text or alert someone over social media."

But emergency services in North Yorkshire say they have already adopted text messaging to help people get in touch as part of the 999 service.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "We’ve always been at the forefront of using new digital and mobile technology to engage with the communities we serve – we were the first force in the UK to use Twitter, and the first to host web chats for residents to ‘meet’ their local officers online.

"It’s important to emphasise that people can already contact us by text message in an emergency, using the emergencySMS service. More information about this service is available on our website - www.northyorkshire.police.uk/contact

Darryl Keen, strategic lead for Operational Communications at the Chief Fire Officers Association said: “With the public now used to using a wide variety of communication means it is reasonable to suggest that all sorts of media, including SMS and apps ought to be available to report an emergency.

"Much has been done by fire and rescue services to enhance the systems in control rooms which handle calls and mobilise fire engines, many of these projects having received central Government funding and mean that systems can handle information in a variety of forms."

Yorkshire Ambulance Service is also contactable using an emergency SMS message as part of the 999 service.